All 4 Uses of
attain
in
Sense and Sensibility
- Mrs. John Dashwood wished it likewise; but in the mean while, till one of these superior blessings could be attained, it would have quieted her ambition to see him driving a barouche.†
Chpt 3attained = gained or reached something with effort
- There were but few who could be so classed; and it was not all of them that were attainable.†
Chpt 9 *attainable = able to be gained or reached with effortstandard suffix: The suffix "-able" means able to be. This is the same pattern you see in words like breakable, understandable, and comfortable.
- Nay, more, I consider it as the only form of building in which happiness is attainable, and were I rich enough I would instantly pull Combe down, and build it up again in the exact plan of this cottage.†
Chpt 14
- In the country, an unpremeditated dance was very allowable; but in London, where the reputation of elegance was more important and less easily attained, it was risking too much for the gratification of a few girls, to have it known that Lady Middleton had given a small dance of eight or nine couple, with two violins, and a mere side-board collation.†
Chpt 27attained = gained or reached something with effort
Definition:
to gain or reach something with effort