attachment

American  

[uh-tach-muhnt] / əˈtætʃ mənt /

noun

1. an act of attaching or the state of being attached.

2. a feeling that binds one to a person, thing, cause, ideal, or the like; devotion; regard.

   a fond attachment to his cousin; a profound attachment to the cause of peace.

   Synonyms:

   devotedness, love

3. Psychology.

   1. an emotional bond between an infant or toddler and primary caregiver, a strong bond being vital for the child’s normal behavioral and social development.

   2. an enduring emotional bond that develops between one adult and another in an intimate relationship.

      romantic attachment.

4. something that attaches; a fastening or tie.

   the attachments of a harness; the attachments of a pair of skis.

   Synonyms:

   connection, junction

5. an additional or supplementary device.

   attachments for an electric drill.

6. Law. seizure of property or person by legal authority, especially seizure of a defendant's property to prevent its dissipation before trial or to acquire jurisdiction over it.

7. something attached, as a document added to a letter.

8. Digital Technology. a computer or electronic file sent with an email.

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attachment British  

/ əˈtætʃmənt /

noun

1. a means of securing; a fastening

2. (often foll by to) affection or regard (for); devotion (to)

   attachment to a person or to a cause

3. an object to be attached, esp a supplementary part

   an attachment for an electric drill

4. the act of attaching or the state of being attached

5. 1. the arrest of a person for disobedience to a court order

   2. the lawful seizure of property and placing of it under control of a court

   3. a writ authorizing such arrest or seizure

6. law the binding of a debt in the hands of a garnishee until its disposition has been decided by the court

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Related Words

See addition.

Other Word Forms

• nonattachment noun
• overattachment noun
• preattachment noun
• reattachment noun
• self-attachment noun
• superattachment noun

Etymology

Origin of attachment

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English attachement “detention, distraint, seizure,” from Anglo-French; attach, -ment

Example Sentences

The second attachment is another, more recent picture, with the same gray background.

From Literature

AI should show up as a feature that drives upgrade intent or increases services attachment, not as a standalone revenue line.

From MarketWatch

“Artists have since given me works, which has been very touching, but the situation has changed my attachment to things, now that I see how transient they can be.”

From Los Angeles Times

Here are the main new deductions, which can be claimed on Schedule 1-A External link, a new attachment to the Form 1040 this year.

From Barron's

Mr. Mann refutes this, characterizing her romances as “attachments that allowed this dreamy, curious, affection-seeking young woman to explore the world beyond the quiet, steady confines of Medford, Massachusetts,” where she grew up.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affinity
• devotion
• friendship
• loyalty