Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - attain

 verb  Etymology: Middle English atteynen, from Anglo-French ateign-, stem of ateindre to reach, accomplish, convict, from Vulgar Latin *attangere, alteration of Latin attingere, from ad- + tangere to touch — more at tangent  Date: 14th century  transitive verb  1. to reach as an end ; gain, achieve ~ a goal  2. to come into possession of ; obtain he ~ed preferment over his fellows  3. to come to as the end of a progression or course of movement they ~ed the top of the hill ~ a ripe old age  intransitive verb to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort — usually used with to  • ~ability noun  • ~able adjective