If by any means they might attain to Phenice. --Acts
xxvii. 12.
Nor nearer might the dogs attain. --Sir W.
Scott.
To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber.
--Cowper.
Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as
this. --J. R. Green.
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. --Ps. cxxxix.
6.
Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the
means? --Abp.
Tillotson.
2. To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [Obs. with a
material object.] --Chaucer.
3. To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [Obs.]
Not well attaining his meaning. --Fuller.
4. To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive
at. ``Canaan he now attains.'' --Milton.
5. To overtake. [Obs.] --Bacon.
6. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
Syn: To {Attain}, {Obtain}, {Procure}.
Usage: Attain always implies an effort toward an object.
Hence it is not synonymous with obtain and procure,
which do not necessarily imply such effort or motion.
We procure or obtain a thing by purchase or loan, and
we obtain by inheritance, but we do not attain it by
such means.