Emily Dickinson Lexicon

Atropos, proper n. [Gk 'inflexible'.]

One of the three Fates; third daughter of Zeus and Themis in Greek mythology; demi-goddess who cuts the thread that determines a human life span; [fig.] fate; fortune; chance; destiny; luck; (see ED letters).

attach (-es), v. [OFr 'to fasten'.]

Associate with; relate to; identify with; connect to mentally.

attack (-s), v. [Fr.] (webplay: satire).

Criticize; censure; assail verbally; assault with words.

attain (attained), v. [L. attingo, to reach, to come to or overtake.] (webplay: acquisition, common, ease, knowledge, mind).

1. Accomplish; do; reach by effort.
2. Acquire; gain; obtain.
3. Gather; accumulate; collect; assemble; produce; manufacture.

attainment (-s), n. [see attain, v.]

Achievement; mastery; proficiency; skill; talent.

attar (-s, -'s), n. [Persian ςatar perfume essence.]

Rose-petal perfume; aromatic extract; fragrant oil from blossoms; sweet-smelling essence of flower petals; [fig.] meaning of existence; significance of life; infinite joy; rich substance of great value.

attempt, n. [see attempt, v.] (webplay: attempt a bold flight).

1. Effort; exertion; strain; work; labor.
2. Attack; fight; [fig.] will to live; struggle for life.
3. Unsuccessful effort; hopeless endeavor.

attempt (-ed, -ing), v. [OFr < L. ad + tento, try, test, stretch.] (webplay: attempt a bold flight, endeavor, essay, gain, point, speak).

1. Labor; strain; struggle.
2. Aspire to reach; seek to procure; strive to obtain.
3. Attack; assail; assault.
4. Try; undertake.

attend (-ed, -eth), v. [Fr. < L. ad, toward + tenděre, to stretch.] (webplay: death, suns).

1. Follow; stalk; hunt; track.
2. Serve; wait on; administer to; [fig.] comfort; reassure; soothe.
3. Accompany; escort; be in the company of others.
4. Watch; observe; look at; pay attention to.

attendance, n. [see attend, v.] (webplay: attention, connection, death, doom, ill, love, service, suns).

1. Service; administration; care-taking; waiting upon; fulfillment of duty.
2. Presence; gathering of many people; body of persons present; large group of beings; [word play] attention; alertness; notice; recognition; watchfulness; acknowledgment.