attach

//əˈtæt͡ʃ//

Forms

present (v1): attach
past (v2): attached
past participle (v3): attached
present participle: attaching
3rd person singular: attaches

Definitions

1.To fasten, to join to (literally and figuratively).
- You need to attach the carabiner to your harness.
- An officer is attached to a certain regiment, company, or ship.
2.To include an attachment with a communication (especially an email or other electronic communication).
- I've attached the contract to this email.
3.To come into legal operation in connection with anything; to vest.
4.To adhere; to be attached.
- The great interest which attaches to the mere knowledge of these facts cannot be doubted.

Frequency

Overall

Uncommon· #2538

By learning goal

Everyday conversation: Rare
General reading & writing: Uncommon
Academic: Rare
Literature: Rare

Related words

Synonyms

bind

Etymology

From Middle English attachen, from Old French atachier, variant of estachier (“bind”), derived from estache (“stick”), from Frankish *stakkā, *stakō (“stick”), from Proto-Germanic *stakô (“pole, bar, stick, stake”). Doublet of attack. More at stake, stack.