- attribute (v.)
- late 14c., "assign, bestow," from L. attributus, pp. of attribuere "assign to, add, bestow," from ad- "to" + tribuere "assign, give, bestow." Pp. adj. attributed is recorded from 1808.
- attribute (n.)
- "quality ascribed to someone," c.1400, from L. attributum "anything attributed," neut. of attributus (see attribute (v.)).