[a. F. attribution, 14th c. ad. L. attribūtiōn-em, n. of action f. attribuĕre to ATTRIBUTE.] The action of attributing; the result in which this action is embodied.
I. The (external) action of bestowing.
1. The action of bestowing or assigning (in fact); bestowal. arch. or Obs.
1467. J. Tiptoft, Earl. Worc., in MS. Harl. 69 No. 17. Reserving always to the Queenes Highnes and the Ladyes there present, the Attribution and Gifte of the Prize.
1650. T. Goodwin, Wks. (1862), IV. 446. The communication and attribution of the same rights, privileges, attributes.
1829. Landor, Imag. Conv. (1846), I. 249. Although the Graces in none of their attributions are benignant to him.
2. Ascription in word or statement.
1649. Roberts, Clavis Bibl., 39. By a gratefull Attribution, or Ascribing such names and titles unto God.
1667. Decay Chr. Piety, v. § 18. 233. We … never suspect these glorious attributions may be no more than complement or flattery.
1876. Bancroft, Hist. U.S., V. v. 389. The biographer’s attribution of special merit to Colonel Reed.
II. The (internal) action of ascribing or imputing.
3. The assigning or ascribing of a character or quality as belonging or proper to any thing.
1651. Wittie, trans. Primrose’s Pop. Err., IV. 246. Attribution of this power and dominion to them.
1774. T. Warton, Eng. Poetry (1840), I. Diss. i. 14. The attribution of prophetical language to birds.
1837. Whewell, Hist. Induct. Sc., XVII. iv. § 2. The attribution of sexes to plants.
1838. Sir W. Hamilton, Logic, v. (1866), I. 77. As these qualities or modes are only identified with the thing by a mental attribution, they are called attributes.
b. Self-attribution: ascription of honor or credit to oneself.
1649. Roberts, Clavis Bibl., 184. Not to give themselves to sensual pleasures, Luxury, Vain-glory, Self-attributions.
4. The ascribing of an effect to a cause, of a work to its author, date, place, or of date and place to a work. esp. in Art-criticism: The ascription of a work of art to its supposed author.
a. 1665. J. Goodwin, Filled w. the Spirit (1867), 335. Though the same attribution … be made unto God … wherein the action is ascribed unto God.
1805. Ellis, E. E. Metr. Rom. (ed. Bohn), 75, note. Few mistakes are more usual than the attribution of early pieces to the copyists.
1864. Reader, 27 Feb., 261/2. That any one has been yet tempted to follow his attributions.
1881. Saintsbury, Dryden, i. 19. The blundering attribution of Dryden and his rivals to Corneille and Racine.
1882. J. Evans, in Nature, XXV. 549. Of John Hyrcanus … there are numerous copper coins of undoubted attribution.
† 5. Rhet. The qualifying of words by attributive adjuncts; giving of epithets. Obs.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xvii. (Arb.), 193. Epitheton or the Quallifier, otherwise the figure of Attribution.
6. Logic. Predication of an attribute.
1860. Abp. Thomson, Laws of Th., § 60. To say that man is mortal is an act of Attribution.
1870. Bowen, Logic, v. 128. In each of the other forms the attribution is conditional.
III. A thing attributed.
7. Anything ascribed in one’s opinion or estimation, e.g., ascribed name, appellation, credit, character, property, quality, meaning, or sense of a word. Also in early use = ATTRIBUTE 2. ? Obs.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., IV. i. 3. Such attribution should the Dowglas haue, As not a Souldiour of this seasons stampe, Should go so generall currant through the world.
1615. T. Adams, Two Sonnes, 68. Many and excellent are the attributions wch the Scripture giveth us—as Friends, Children, Heirs, &c.
1738. Warburton, Div. Legat., II. 237. To which Species of Gods it was an honorary Attribution.
† 8. An attributive word or adjunct, an ‘attribute.’ (So in L.) Obs.
1589. Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xvii. (Arb.), 193. Sometimes wordes suffered to go single, do giue greater sence and grace than words quallified by attributions do.
9. Authority or function granted (to a ruler, minister, delegate, court). (From mod. French.)
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., II. 376. The legislative body shall determine the number and attributions (or functions) of the ministers.
1849. Grote, Greece, II. xlvi. V. 482. Trials for homicide were only a small part of its attributions.
1865. Mill, Repr. Govt., 125/2. Within the limits of its attributions, it makes laws which are obeyed by every citizen.
