Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
ATTRIBUTE
I. noun see: tribute
Date: 14th century
an inherent characteristic, an object closely associated with or belonging to a specific person, thing, or office , a word ascribing a quality, see: quality
II. transitive verb (-uted; -uting)
Date: 1530
to explain by indicating a cause ,
2. to regard as a characteristic of a person or thing, to reckon as made or originated in an indicated fashion , classify , designate , see: ascribe attributable adjective