Attribute /(ăt"trĭ*būt)/

At·trib·ute

Attribute

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Attributed; p. pr. & vb. n. Attributing

  1. 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).
    We attribute nothing to God that hath any repugnancy or contradiction in it.
    — Abp. Tillotson.
    The merit of service is seldom attributed to the true and exact performer.

Attribute

n.
  1. 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.
    But mercy is above this sceptered away; . . . It is an attribute to God himself.
  2. Reputation. [Poetic]
  3. A conventional symbol of office, character, or identity, added to any particular figure; as, a club is the attribute of Hercules. (Paint. & Sculp.)
  4. Quality, etc., denoted by an attributive; an attributive adjunct or adjective. (Gram.)