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ATTAINMENT
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Arrival at a new stage
Example:
his attainment of puberty was delayed by malnutrition
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("attainment" is a kind of...):
arrival; reaching (accomplishment of an objective)
Derivation:
attain (reach a point in time, or a certain state or level)
attain (reach a destination, either real or abstract)
Sense 2
Meaning:
The act of achieving an aim
Example:
the attainment of independence
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("attainment" is a kind of...):
accomplishment; achievement (the action of accomplishing something)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "attainment"):
record (an extreme attainment; the best (or worst) performance ever attested (as in a sport))
success (an attainment that is successful)
course credit; credit (recognition by a college or university that a course of studies has been successfully completed; typically measured in semester hours)
accession; rise to power (the act of attaining or gaining access to a new office or right or position (especially the throne))
Derivation:
attain (to gain with effort)
Sense 3
Meaning:
An ability that has been acquired by training
Synonyms:
accomplishment; acquirement; acquisition; attainment; skill
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("attainment" is a kind of...):
ability; power (possession of the qualities (especially mental qualities) required to do something or get something done)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "attainment"):
swordsmanship (skill in fencing)
soldiering; soldiership (skills that are required for the life of soldier)
showmanship (the ability to present something (especially theatrical shows) in an attractive manner)
seamanship (skill in sailing)
salesmanship (skill in selling; skill in persuading people to buy)
oarsmanship (skill as an oarsman)
numeracy (skill with numbers and mathematics)
mixology (skill in preparing mixed drinks)
mastership (the skill of a master)
marksmanship (skill in shooting)
literacy (the ability to read and write)
horsemanship (skill in handling and riding horses)
craft; craftsmanship; workmanship (skill in an occupation or trade)
Context examples:
A mind of moderate capacity which closely pursues one study must infallibly arrive at great proficiency in that study; and I, who continually sought the attainment of one object of pursuit and was solely wrapped up in this, improved so rapidly that at the end of two years I made some discoveries in the improvement of some chemical instruments, which procured me great esteem and admiration at the university.
(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)
Certain factors that often coincide with poverty also tended to coincide with higher cotinine levels—more residential moves, unstable households with adults coming and going, low educational attainment by adults in the household, and low income.
(Infants, Toddlers at More Risk from Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke than Thought, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
This applies only if the difference in the rate at which the active ingredient or moiety becomes available at the site of drug action is intentional and is reflected in the proposed labeling, is not essential to the attainment of effective body drug concentrations on chronic use, and is considered medically insignificant for the drug (21CFR320.1).
(Bioequivalence, NCI Thesaurus)
Because educational attainment is a complex phenomenon, there are many additional sources of molecular genetic variation to be discovered.
(Researchers identify genetic links to educational attainment, NIH)
His chest heaved once, as if his large heart, weary of despotic constriction, had expanded, despite the will, and made a vigorous bound for the attainment of liberty.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
And at the dinner, where, with their womankind, were half a dozen of those that sat in high places, and where Martin found himself quite the lion, Judge Blount, warmly seconded by Judge Hanwell, urged privately that Martin should permit his name to be put up for the Styx—the ultra-select club to which belonged, not the mere men of wealth, but the men of attainment.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
Previous research has shown that genetic factors account for about 20 percent of variation in educational attainment.
(Researchers identify genetic links to educational attainment, NIH)
She was very showy, but she was not genuine: she had a fine person, many brilliant attainments; but her mind was poor, her heart barren by nature: nothing bloomed spontaneously on that soil; no unforced natural fruit delighted by its freshness.
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
