What is the meaning of attribute?

noun

• A construct whereby objects or individuals can be distinguished.
  • usage: "self-confidence is not an endearing property"
  • synonyms: property, dimension
• An abstraction belonging to or characteristic of an entity.

verb

• Attribute or credit to.
  • usage: "We attributed this quotation to Shakespeare"; "People impute great cleverness to cats"
  • synonyms: impute, ascribe, assign
• Decide as to where something belongs in a scheme.
  • usage: "The biologist assigned the mushroom to the proper class"
  • synonyms: assign