Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!) Easter eggs (New!)

Literary notes about attribute (AI summary)

In literature, the word "attribute" is employed with remarkable versatility, functioning both as a verb that assigns causation or authorship and as a noun that signifies a characteristic or quality inherent to a subject. Authors frequently use it to explain phenomena by linking events to general causes or personal qualities—for instance, when reputations, failures, or supernatural influences are ascribed to underlying factors ([1], [2], [3]). Philosophical texts delve deeper, using "attribute" to probe notions of existence, essence, or divinity, thereby demonstrating its role in abstract reasoning and metaphysical inquiry ([4], [5], [6]). Additionally, its grammatical usage—as noted in discussions on syntax and structure—further attests to its wide-ranging significance in literature and logic ([7], [8]).
  1. 721 I attribute the scandals that have taken place amongst Theosophists directly to this cause.
    — from Secret societies and subversive movements by Nesta Helen Webster
  2. In like manner I should attribute the increasing influence of the daily press to causes more general than those by which it is commonly explained.
    — from Democracy in America — Volume 2 by Alexis de Tocqueville
  3. We may safely attribute these structures to inheritance.
    — from The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection by Charles Darwin
  4. But it is an a priori judgement [to say] that I find it beautiful, i.e. I attribute this satisfaction necessarily to every one. § 38.
    — from Kant's Critique of Judgement by Immanuel Kant
  5. Self-existence is an essential, inherent, untransferable attribute of Deity; and so is not a possible attainment for any creature.
    — from Know the Truth: A Critique on the Hamiltonian Theory of Limitation by Jesse Henry Jones
  6. Does this infinite awaken in us the idea of essence, while we can attribute to ourselves only the idea of existence?
    — from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
  7. This applies to the substantive used as attribute, appositive, or predicate.
    — from A Latin Grammar for Schools and Colleges by George Martin Lane
  8. A predicate nominative is also called a subject complement or an attribute .
    — from An Advanced English Grammar with Exercises by Frank Edgar Farley and George Lyman Kittredge

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, BlueSky


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Threepeat Redux