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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Attene, v. Also: attenȝe, attein(e, atteyn(e, attean(e, atteen; attine, attyne. [Usual form of Attane v.; cf. obtene, pertene.]

1. intr. To attain, to succeed in coming, to. Also with neir.a1400 Leg. S. iii. 748 (thai cuth nocht attenȝe hym to). a1500 Doug. K. Hart 103 (all that couth attene the castell neir). 15.. Clar. iv. 1430 (unto my sight and presence to atteine). 1558-66 Knox II. 120 (lett all nationis atteane to thy trew knowledge). 1568 Pref. Lyndesay 10 (that na man can atteyne to the authoris mynde). 1581 Burne Disput. 13 (to attene vnto Christ). 1585 James VI Ess. 56 (to atteine to merite sic a name). 1610 Misc. Hist. Soc. II. 217 (al this he hoipit to atteen to). 1622-6 Bisset II. 191/11 (to attene to the croun). 1615 Crim. Trials III. 356 (haifing attynit to sic fyn[n]es). 1629 Reg. Privy C. Ser. 2, III. 359 (he has now atteanned unto honest meanes). 1659 Blairs P. 88.
Prouiding thes that camme from that hous did attine to the final ende, which was to be Churchmen to helpe the contryabsol. 1513 Doug. i. Prol. 265 (as the wyt mycht atteyn). a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxi. 39 (in the end for to attein I trow). 1587-99 Hume iv. 119 (our wit na higher can atteine).

b. tr. To attain, reach, arrive at, obtain.c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 49 (she myght of hyme atteyne of pees grace). 1513 Doug. iv. Prol. 237 (hys purpos to atteyn); x. Prol. 87 (albeit thy wit gret God may nocht attene). a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxxiv. 18 (the sentence to attein). 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. Prayer 3 (that I may attene the end of my creation).

2. intr. To approach by relationship; to be related to a person. 1563 St. A. Kirk S. 167.
He confessis hym to atteyn in consanguinite to the producer 1567 Acts III. 44/2.
Notwithstanding that thai attenit to the pertie defendar … in als neir or nerrar degreis

Hence Attening, vbl. n. — 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 308.
The meanis for the mair facill attenyng to ane good peace