verb (used with object)
- to fasten or affix; join; connect: to attach a photograph to an application with a staple.
- to join in action or function; make part of: to attach oneself to a group.
- Military. to place on temporary duty with or in assistance to a military unit.
- to include as a quality or condition of something: One proviso is attached to this legacy.
- to assign or attribute: to attach significance to a gesture.
- to bind by ties of affection or regard: You always attach yourself to people who end up hurting you.
- Law. to take (persons or property) by legal authority.
- Obsolete. to lay hold of; seize.
verb (used without object)
- to adhere; pertain; belong (usually followed by to or upon): No blame attaches to him.
verb (mainly tr)
- to join, fasten, or connect
- (reflexive or passive) to become associated with or join, as in a business or other venturehe attached himself to the expedition
- (intr foll by to) to be inherent (in) or connected (with)responsibility attaches to the job
- to attribute or ascribeto attach importance to an event
- to include or append, esp as a conditiona proviso is attached to the contract
- (usually passive) military to place on temporary duty with another unit
- (usually passive) to put (a member of an organization) to work in a different unit or agency, either with an expectation of reverting to, or while retaining some part of, the original working arrangement
- to appoint officially
- law to arrest or take (a person, property, etc) with lawful authority
- obsolete to seize
v.mid-14c. (mid-13c. in Anglo-Latin), “to take or seize (property or goods) by law,” a legal term, from Old French atachier (11c.), earlier estachier “to attach, fix; stake up, support” (Modern French attacher, also cf. Italian attaccare), perhaps from a- “to” + Frankish *stakon “a post, stake” or a similar Germanic word (see stake (n.)). Meaning “to fasten, affix, connect” is from c.1400. Related: Attached; attaching. see no strings attached.