attribute
UK /ˈæt.ɹɪ.bjuːt/ · US /ˈæt.ɹɪˌbjut/ noun, verb
Forms attributes attributing attributed attributest attributedst attributeth
- noun A characteristic or quality of a thing. “His finest attribute is his kindness.”
- noun An object that is considered typical of someone or some function, in particular as an artistic convention. “The eagle and the bolt of lightning are attributes of Jove.”
- noun (grammar) A word that qualifies a noun.
- noun (logic) That which is predicated or affirmed of a subject; a predicate; an accident.
- noun (computing, object-oriented programming) An option or setting belonging to some object. “This packet has its coherency attribute set to zero.”
- noun (programming) A semantic item with which a method or other code element may be decorated. “Properties can be marked as obsolete with an attribute, which will cause the compiler to generate a warning if they are used.”
- noun (computer graphics, dated) A numeric value representing the colours of part of the screen display.
- verb (transitive) To ascribe (something) to a given cause, reason etc.; to affix.
- verb (transitive) To associate ownership or authorship of (something) to someone. “This poem is attributed to Browning.”
Synonyms
qualifier lay impute accredit ascribe attach chalk up to charge draw put down to repose refer property dimension assign
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin attributus.
Webster’s 1913
- verb 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).
- noun 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.
- noun Reputation. [Poetic] Shak.
Etymology [L. attributus, p. p. of attribuere; ad + tribuere to bestow. See Tribute.]
Etymology [L. attributum.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “attribute”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details