Both Uses of
attain
in
Abraham Lincoln and the Self-Made Myth
- But few have been able to point to such a sudden ascent from relative obscurity to high eminence; none has maintained so completely while scaling the heights the aspect of extreme simplicity; and none has combined with the attainment of success and power such122 an intense awareness of humanity and moral responsibility.†
Subsection 1 *attainment = the gaining or reaching of something with effort; or something gained with effort
- It was precisely in his attainments as a common man that Lincoln felt himself to be remarkable, and in this light that he interpreted to the world the significance of his career.†
Subsection 1attainments = things gained with effort
Definition:
to gain or reach something with effort