Main Entry: ²at·trib·ute

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈtri-ˌbyüt, -byət\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): at·trib·ut·ed; at·trib·ut·ing

Date: 1530

1 : to explain by indicating a cause <attributed his success to his coach>
2 a : to regard as a characteristic of a person or thing b : to reckon as made or originated in an indicated fashion <attributed the invention to a Russian> c : classify, designate

synonyms see ascribe

— at·trib·ut·able \-byü-tə-bəl, -byə-\ adjective