Attain
Attain (at*tān") , transitive verb
[Of. atteinen, atteignen, atainen, Old French ateindre, ataindre, French atteindre, from Latin attingere; ad + tangere to touch, reach. See Tangent, and compare Attinge, Attaint.]
1.
To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest.
Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means?
2.
To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [Obsolete with a material object.] — Chaucer
3.
To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [Obsolete]
Not well attaining his meaning.
4.
To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at.
Canaan he now attains.
5.
To overtake. [Obsolete] — Bacon
6.
To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
Attain , intransitive verb
1.
To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach.
If by any means they might attain to Phenice.
Nor nearer might the dogs attain.
To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber.
Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as this.
2.
To come or arrive, by an effort of mind.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I can not attain unto it.
Attain , noun
Attainment. [Obsolete]