Search, browse, and study this dictionary to learn more about the early American, Christian language.
1828.mshaffer.com › Word [attain]
ATTA'IN, v.i. [L. attingo, to reach, come to or overtake; ad and tango, to touch, reach or strike; that is, to thrust, urge or push to. it has no connection with L. attineo. See Class.] 1. To reach; to come to or arrive at, by motion, bodily exertion, or efforts towards a place or object.If by any means they might attain to Phenice. Acts 28.2. To reach; to come to or arrive at, by an effort of mind.Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain to it. Ps. 139.Regularly this verb should be always followed by to; the omission of to, and the use of the verb, in a transitive sense, may have originated in mistake, from the opinion that the verb is from the L. attineo, and equivalent to obtain.ATTA'IN, v.t. 1. To gain; to compass; to achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; without to following.Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means?This use of the verb is now established; but in strictness to is here implied; attain to the end. The real sense, as in the intransitive use of the verb is, to reach or come to the end or purpose in view. This word always implies an effort towards an object. Hence it is not synonymous with obtain and procure, which do not necessarily imply such effort. We procure or obtain a thing by purchase or loan, and we obtain by inheritance, but we do not attain it by such means. An inattention to this distinction has led good authors into great mistakes in the use of this word.2. To reach or come to a place or object by progression or motion. But ere such tidings shall his ears attain.Canaan he now attains.3. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
|
Evolution (or devolution) of this word [attain]
1828 Webster | 1844 Webster | 1913 Webster |
ATTA'IN, v.i. [L. attingo, to reach, come to or overtake; ad and tango, to touch, reach or strike; that is, to thrust, urge or push to. it has no connection with L. attineo. See Class.] 1. To reach; to come to or arrive at, by motion, bodily exertion, or efforts towards a place or object.If by any means they might attain to Phenice. Acts 28.2. To reach; to come to or arrive at, by an effort of mind.Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain to it. Ps. 139.Regularly this verb should be always followed by to; the omission of to, and the use of the verb, in a transitive sense, may have originated in mistake, from the opinion that the verb is from the L. attineo, and equivalent to obtain.ATTA'IN, v.t. 1. To gain; to compass; to achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; without to following.Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means?This use of the verb is now established; but in strictness to is here implied; attain to the end. The real sense, as in the intransitive use of the verb is, to reach or come to the end or purpose in view. This word always implies an effort towards an object. Hence it is not synonymous with obtain and procure, which do not necessarily imply such effort. We procure or obtain a thing by purchase or loan, and we obtain by inheritance, but we do not attain it by such means. An inattention to this distinction has led good authors into great mistakes in the use of this word.2. To reach or come to a place or object by progression or motion. But ere such tidings shall his ears attain.Canaan he now attains.3. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal. | AT-TAIN, v.i. [Fr. and Norm. atteindre; L. attingo, to reach, come to or overtake; ad and tango; to touch, reach or strike; that is, to thrust, urge or push to. It has no connection with L. attineo. See Class Dg.]- To reach; to come to or arrive at, by motion, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place or object.
If by any means they might attain to Phenice. – Acts xxvii.
- To reach; to come to or arrive at, by an effort of mind.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I can not attain to it. Ps. cxxxix.
Regularly this verb should be always followed by to; the omission of to, and the use of the verb, in a transitive sense, may have originated in mistake, from the opinion that the verb is from the L. attineo, and equivalent to obtain.
AT-TAIN, v.t.- To gain; to compass; to achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; without to following.
Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means? – Tillotson.
This use of the verb is now established; but in strictness to is here implied; attain to the end. The real sense, as in the intransitive use of the verb, is, to reach or come to the end or purpose in view. This word always implies an effort toward an object. Hence it is not synonymous with obtain and procure, which do not necessarily imply such effort. We procure or obtain a thing by purchase or loan, and we obtain by inheritance, but we do not attain it by such means. An inattention to this distinction has led good authors into great mistakes in the use of this word.
- To reach or come to a place or object by progression or motion.
But ere such tidings shall his ears attain. Hoole's Tasso.
Canaan he now attains. – Milton.
- To reach in excellence or degree; to equal. – Bacon.
| At*tain"
- To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by
efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest.
- To
come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a
place, object, state, etc.; to reach.
- Attainment.
- To gain or obtain possession of; to
acquire.
- To come or arrive, by an effort of
mind.
- To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain.
- To reach or come to, by progression or motion;
to arrive at.
- To overtake.
- To reach in excellence or degree; to
equal.
|
1828 Webster | 1844 Webster | 1913 Webster |
Thank you for visiting!
- Our goal is to try and improve the quality of the digital form of this dictionary being historically true and accurate to the first American dictionary. Read more ...
- Below you will find three sketches from a talented artist and friend depicting Noah Webster at work. Please tell us what you think.
Divine Study
Divine Study
|
Window of Reflection
Window of Reflection
|
Enlightening Grace
Enlightening Grace
|
136
|
884 |
101
|
961 |
168
|
991 |
Attain ATTA'IN, verb intransitive [Latin attingo, to reach, come to or overtake; ad and tango, to touch, reach or strike; that is, to thrust, urge or push to. it has no connection with Latin attineo. See Class.] 1. To reach; to come to or arrive at, by motion, bodily exertion, or efforts towards a place or object. If by any means they might attain to Phenice. Acts 28:1. 2. To reach; to come to or arrive at, by an effort of mind. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain to it. Psalms 139:6. Regularly this verb should be always followed by to; the omission of to, and the use of the verb, in a transitive sense, may have originated in mistake, from the opinion that the verb is from the Latin attineo, and equivalent to obtain. ATTA'IN, verb transitive 1. To gain; to compass; to achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; without to following. Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means? This use of the verb is now established; but in strictness to is here implied; attain to the end. The real sense, as in the intransitive use of the verb is, to reach or come to the end or purpose in view. This word always implies an effort towards an object. Hence it is not synonymous with obtain and procure, which do not necessarily imply such effort. We procure or obtain a thing by purchase or loan, and we obtain by inheritance, but we do not attain it by such means. An inattention to this distinction has led good authors into great mistakes in the use of this word. 2. To reach or come to a place or object by progression or motion. But ere such tidings shall his ears attain Canaan he now attains. 3. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
|
|
Hard-cover Edition |
331 |
|
511 |
|
Compact Edition |
312 |
|
217 |
|
CD-ROM |
264 |
|
179 |
|
* As a note, I have purchased each of these products. In fact, as we have been developing the Project:: 1828 Reprint, I have purchased several of the bulky hard-cover dictionaries. My opinion is that the 2000-page hard-cover edition is the only good viable solution at this time. The compact edition was a bit disappointing and the CD-ROM as well. |
[ + ] |
Add Search To Your Site |
|
|