Definition Definition

attribute - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'attribute' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Attribute [ n.]
- That which is attributed; a quality which is considered as belonging to, or inherent in, a person or thing; an essential or necessary property or characteristic.
- Reputation.
- A conventional symbol of office, character, or identity, added to any particular figure; as, a club is the attribute of Hercules.
- Quality, etc., denoted by an attributive; an attributive adjunct or adjective.
2 . Attribute [ v. t.]
- To ascribe; to consider (something) as due or appropriate (to); to refer, as an effect to a cause; to impute; to assign; to consider as belonging (to).

Meaning of 'attribute' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . attribute [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished
Example in sentence:
  • self-confidence is not an endearing property
2 . attribute [ v]
Meaning (2):
- attribute or credit to
Example in sentence:
  • People impute great cleverness to cats;
  • We attributed this quotation to Shakespeare
Meaning (3):
- decide as to where something belongs in a scheme
Example in sentence:
  • The biologist assigned the mushroom to the proper class