attribution Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun assigning some quality or character to a person or thing
    ascription.
    • the attribution of language to birds
    • the ascription to me of honors I had not earned
  2. noun assigning to a cause or source
    ascription.
    • the attribution of lighting to an expression of God's wrath
    • he questioned the attribution of the painting to Picasso

WordNet

At`tri*bu"tion noun
Etymology
L. attributio: cf. F. attribution.
Definitions
  1. The act of attributing or ascribing, as a quality, character, or function, to a thing or person, an effect to a cause.
  2. That which is ascribed or attributed.

Webster 1913