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attic
at·tach·ment /ə'tætʃmənt/ n 1 [C] something that is fixed to something else: a vacuum cleaner with a special attachment for dusting books 2 [C(to)] fondness or friendship (for): She has already formed a strong attachment to her baby brother. 3 [U(to)] the act of attaching or state of being attached: an officer on attachment to the drugs squad 4 [C;U] law the seizure of a person or their goods in order to clear a debt
at·tack /ə'tæk/ v 1 [I;T] to use violence (against), especially with weapons: The enemy attacked (us) at night. 2 [T] to speak or write strongly against with the intention of showing something to be bad or worthless: a powerful speech attacking government policy 3 [T] to have a harmful or damaging effect on, especially by a continuing action: The disease attacks cereal crops/the central nervous system. 4 [T] to begin to deal with (something) with eagerness and determination: She attacked the problem at once. | He attacked the food as if he hadn't eaten for a week. —er n: armed attackers
attack n 1 [C(on);U] (an act of) violence intended to harm: Security will be increased after yesterday's attack on the President's life. | The city came under attack during the night. 2 [C(on)] writing, words, or action directed forcefully against a person, plan etc intended to hurt or damage: The speaker made a scathing attack on the government's record. | The police are launching a major attack on drug dealers. 3 [C(of)] a sudden and usually severe period of illness, especially one which tends to return: an attack of malaria/asthma | (fig.) He was overcome by a sudden attack of shyness. → see also HEART ATTACK
at·tain /ə'teɪn/ v [T] fml to gain or arrive at after long effort; reach: She attained the rank of deputy director. | to attain one's objectives —able adj
attain to sthg. phr v [T no pass.] fml to reach (a desired state or condition)
at·tain·ment /ə'teɪnmənt/ n fml 1 [U] the act of attaining: the attainment of happiness 2 [C] something that has been successfully gained or learned, often a skill: The ability to speak Chinese was among his attainments.
at·tempt /ə'tempt/ v [T] to make an effort at; try (to do something), especially without succeeding: The second question was so difficult I didn't even attempt it. | [+to-v] He attempted to leave but was stopped. | [+v-ing] I attempted walking along the rope. | The old lady lived, so her attacker was charged with attempted murder not murder.
attempt n [(at, on)] an effort made to do something: He failed to set a new record, but it was a good attempt. | I passed my driving test at the third attempt. | After the attempt on her life (=the attempt to kill her) she retired from politics. | [+to-v] The government announced big tax cuts in an attempt to regain its lost popularity. | Could you at least make an attempt to smile?
At-ten-bor-ough, David /'ætənbərəl-b3:rəʊ/ (1926-) a British NATURALIST who has made many popular television programmes about nature and animals all around the world. These include Life on Earth (1978), The Living Planet (1983), The Blue Planet (2001), and The Life of Mammals (2002). His brother is Sir Richard Attenborough.
Attenborough, Richard (1923-) an English film actor and director who made the films Gandhi (1982), Cry Freedom (1987) and In Love and War (1996). His brother is Sir David Attenborough.
at·tend /ə'tend/ v 1 [I;T] to be present at; go to: Will you be attending the meeting? | The dance was well attended. (=there were many people there) | Please let us know if you are unable to attend. 2 [(on, upon); T] to go with or be with, especially to give protection, help, or care: The queen had a good doctor attending (on) her. | He was constantly attended by his bodyguard. 3 [(to)] fml to give one's attention: Are you attending (to what is being said)? 4 [T] fml to happen in connection with; ACCOMPANY: The rescue attempt was attended by difficulties.
People who attend a play or concert are the audience; people who attend a religious service are the congregation; people who attend a game, such as football, are spectators. But an attendant is someone who is employed to look after a public place or the people who use it: a swimming-pool attendant. Someone who works in a shop is an assistant or shop assistant (BrE) /salesclerk (AmE).
attend to sbdy./sthg. phr v [T] to direct one's efforts and interest towards; deal with or look after: Excuse me, but I have an urgent matter to attend to. | You'd better attend to the children first—they need their breakfast.
at·tend·ance /ə'tendəns/ n 1 [C;U(at)] the act or fact of attending, usually regularly: Attendance at school is demanded by law. | a poor attendance record 2 [S(at)] the number of people present: an attendance of over 5000 3 [U(on)] fml the act of going with or being with someone: There is a doctor in attendance on the queen. 4 be in attendance to be a BRIDESMAID at a wedding: In attendance were his sisters Joanna and Mary. → see also dance attendance on (DANCE¹)
at·tend·ant /ə'tendənt/ n 1 a person employed to look after and help visitors or customers in a public place: a car park/museum attendant → see ATTEND (USAGE) 2 a person who goes with and serves or looks after another 3 a BRIDESMAID: Attendants were Miss J. Brown and Miss L. Paton.
attendant adj [(on, upon)] fml 1 happening at the same time as, or as a result of, something else: One of the difficulties attendant on shift work is lack of sleep. | bad weather and its attendant problems 2 on duty to help and look after someone
at·ten·dee /ə,ten'di:, ,æten-/ n fml someone who is at an event such as a meeting or a course
at·ten·tion /ə'tenʃən/ n 1 [U] the act of fixing the mind on something, especially by watching or listening; full thought and consideration: You must pay attention to the teacher. Don't let your attention wander. | He likes to be the centre of attention. | She waved her hand to attract/catch my attention. | If you distract his attention, I'll slip out of the room when he isn't looking. | She was convicted of driving without due care and attention. | He's got a very short attention span. (=he can only keep his attention on something for a short time) 2 [U] particular care or consideration given to something, especially with the aim of taking action: Old cars need a lot of care and attention to keep them working. | This letter is for the attention of Mr Robinson. | The police should pay more attention to catching criminals. | The company is now turning its attention to the luxury car market. 3 [C usually pl.] becoming rare a kind or polite act showing respect or love, especially of a man to a woman: She felt embarrassed by his persistent attentions. 4 [U] a military position in which a soldier stands straight and still: to come to attention | to stand at attention → compare EASE¹ 5 attention all shipping the phrase used on the British radio before the special report about the weather for people on the sea
attention also 'shun interj a military order to come to ATTENTION¹
at,tention 'deficit dis,order abbrev. ADD n [U] a medical condition that especially affects children. It causes them to be too active and to be unable to pay attention or be quiet for very long.
at·ten·tive /ə'tentɪv/ adj 1 taking careful notice; listening carefully: an attentive audience/class → opposite INATTENTIVE 2 [(to)] politely helpful: He was very attentive to the old lady and did everything for her. —ly adv —ness n [U]
at·ten·u·ate /ə'tenju:eɪt/ v [I;T] fml or tech to (cause to) become thin, weak, less valuable etc: a powerful drug, used in an attenuated form as a medicine —ation /ə,tenju'eɪʃən/ n [U]
at·test /ə'test/ v fml 1 [T] to declare to be true, especially by signing something: Witnesses attested his account of the attack. 2 [(to;T)] to be proof of; DEMONSTRATE: The luxurious furnishings attested (to) the family's wealth.
at·tes·ta·tion /,æte'steɪʃən/ n [C;U] fml (the making of) a statement which the maker solemnly declares to be true
at,tested 'milk BrE || certified milk AmE — n [U] milk produced under official medical control
at·tic /'ætɪk/ n the space in a building, especially a house, just below the roof, which is often made into a room or used for storing furniture. In the past, attic rooms were often