English edit

Etymology edit

un- +‎ attaining

Adjective edit

unattaining (comparative more unattaining, superlative most unattaining)

  1. That does not lead to attainment
    • 1 December 1890, William Watson, Ireland:
      There she clutches at illusions, and she seeks the phantom goal
      With the unattaining passion that consumes the unsleeping soul:
      And calamity enfolds her, like the shadow of a ban,
      And the niggardness of Nature makes the misery of man;