From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Attain \At*tain"\ ([a^]t*t[=a]n"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Attained} (-t[=a]nd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Attaining}.] [Of.
atteinen, atteignen, atainen, OF. ateindre, ataindre, F.
atteindre, fr. L. attingere; ad + tangere to touch, reach.
See {Tangent}, and cf. {Attinge}, {Attaint}.]
1. To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to
gain; to compass; as, to attain rest.
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Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the
means? --Abp.
Tillotson.
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2. To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire. [Obs. with a
material object.] --Chaucer.
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3. To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain. [Obs.]
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Not well attaining his meaning. --Fuller.
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4. To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive
at. "Canaan he now attains." --Milton.
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5. To overtake. [Obs.] --Bacon.
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6. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
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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.
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