Definition of: attachment

(ə·tach′mənt) noun
1. An attaching or a being attached; adherence; affection.
2. That by which, or the point at which, anything is attached; a bond; band; tie.
3. Affection; devoted regard.
4. An appendage or adjunct.
5. Law a Seizure of a person or property, b The writ commanding this. Synonyms: adherence, adhesion, affection, devotion, esteem, estimation, friendship, inclination, love, regard, tenderness, union. An attachment is an affection that binds a person to another person or thing; we speak of a man's adherence to his purpose, his adhesion to his party, or to anything to which he clings tenaciously, but with no special tenderness; of his attachment to his church, to the old homestead, or to any persons or objects that he may hold dear. Inclination expresses simply a tendency, which may be good or bad, yielded to or overcome; as, an inclination to study. Regard is more distant than affection or attachment, but closer and warmer than esteem; we speak of high esteem, kind regard. Compare ACQUAINTANCE, APPENDAGE, FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, UNION. Antonyms: alienation, animosity, antipathy, aversion, coolness, dislike, distance, divorce, enmity, estrangement, indifference, opposition, repugnance, separation, severance.