[f. ATTAIN v. + -MENT; cf. OF. ataignement, mod. atteignement.]
† 1. Encroachment. (Cf. ATTAIN v. 4.) Obs.
1384. in Arnold, Chron. (1811), 19. Landis and tenementis … free and quyt of alle maner axions, axing, and attenement.
2. The action or process of attaining, reaching or acquiring by effort. (No pl.)
1549. Bk. Com. Prayer Edw. VI., Holy Com. (1852), 311. Towards the attainment of everlasting salvation.
1636. Healey, Epictetus’ Man., xxix. 34. Dost thou ayme at the attainment of wisedome?
1872. Yeats, Growth Comm., 294. The primary object of their voyages was often impossible of attainment.
3. That which is attained or acquired by continued effort; esp. a personal acquirement or accomplishment.
1665. Glanvill, Sceps. Sci., Addr. (J.). To Dispute with Men that count it a great attainment to be able to talk much, and little to the purpose.
1736. Ainsworth, Lat. Dict. (1751), Pref. 12. A man of good attainments.
1824. Dibdin, Libr. Comp., 55. A prelate and poet of very distinguished attainments.
b. more abstractly. (No pl.)
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res., II. iv. No mortal’s endeavour or attainment will … content [him].
1868. M. Pattison, Academ. Org., § 3. 47. The cause of the inefficiency of the teaching in Oxford in the old days was … the low standard of attainment in the place.
