at|trib|ute

at|trib|ute «verb. uh TRIHB yoot; noun. AT ruh byoot», verb, -ut|ed, -ut|ing, noun.

–v.t.

1. to think of as caused by; regard as an effect or product of: »

We attribute Edison's success to intelligence and hard work. She attributes her great age to a carefully planned diet.

2. to think of as belonging or appropriate (to): »

We attribute courage to the lion and cunning to the fox. This play is attributed to Shakespeare.

–n.

1. an object considered appropriate to a person, rank, or office; symbol: »

The eagle was the attribute of Jupiter.

2. a quality considered as belonging to a person or thing; characteristic: »

Patience is an attribute of a good teacher.

SYNONYM(S): trait, property.

3. an adjective, or any word or phrase used as an adjective.

4. Logic. that which may be predicated of a subject.

5. Obsolete. honor; reputation.

╂[< Latin attribūtus, past participle of attribuere to associate < ad- to + tribuere assign; (originally) divide among the tribes < tribus tribe]

–at|trib´ut|a|ble, adjective.

–at|trib´ut|er,

–at|trib´u|tor, noun.

Synonym Study transitive verb. 2 Attribute, ascribe mean to consider something as belonging or due to someone or something, and are often interchangeable. But attribute suggests believing something appropriate to a person or thing or belonging to it by nature or right: »

We attribute importance to the words of great men.

Ascribe suggests guessing or basing a conclusion on evidence and reasoning: »

I ascribe your failure to your lack of interest.