attribute

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at|trib|ute (attributes attributing attributed)
The verb is pronounced /ətr'ɪbjuːt/ The noun is pronounced /'ætrɪbjuːt/
1 [VERB] V n to n
If you attribute something to an event or situation, you think that it was caused by that event or situation.
Women tend to attribute their success to external causes such as luck.
= ascribe
2 [VERB] V n to n
If you attribute a particular quality or feature to someone or something, you think that they have got it.
People were beginning to attribute superhuman qualities to him.
= ascribe
3 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed to n
If a piece of writing, a work of art, or a remark is attributed to someone, people say that they wrote it, created it, or said it.
This, and the remaining frescoes, are not attributed to Giotto.
4 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
An attribute is a quality or feature that someone or something has.
Cruelty is a normal attribute of human behaviour...
= characteristic

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