Attendant, a.
Etymology: [F. attendant, p. pr. of attendre. See Attend, v. t.]
1. Being present, or in the train; accompanying; in waiting. From the attendant flotilla rang notes triumph. Sir W. Scott. Cherub and Seraph . . . attendant on their Lord. Milton.
2. Accompanying, connected with, or immediately following, as consequential; consequent; as, intemperance with all its attendant evils. The natural melancholy attendant upon his situation added to the gloom of the owner of the mansion. Sir W. Scott.
3. (Law)
Depending on, or owing duty or service to; as, the widow attendant to the heir. Cowell. Attendant keys (Mus.), the keys or scales most nearly related to, or having most in common with, the principal key; those, namely, of its fifth above, or dominant, its fifth below (fourth above), or subdominant, and its relative minor or major.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Attendant, n.
1. One who attends or accompanies in any character whatever, as a friend, companion, servant, agent, or suitor. "A train of attendants." Hallam.
2. One who is present and takes part in the proceedings; as, an attendant at a meeting.
3. That which accompanies; a concomitant. [A] sense of fame, the attendant of noble spirits. Pope.
4. (Law)
One who owes duty or service to, or depends on, another. Cowell.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for attendant; he lists it under accessory.
Where he writes about it:
Colleague is used always in a good sense, associate and coadjutor generally so; ally, assistant, associate, attendant, companion, helper, either in a good or a bad sense; abetter, accessory, accomplice, confederate, almost always in a bad sense. — from accessory
A surgeon's assistant is a physician or medical student who shares in the treatment and care of patients; a surgeon's attendant is one who rolls bandages and the like. — from accessory