# File lib/meta_search/builder.rb, line 52
    def get_attribute(name, parent = @join_dependency.join_base)
      attribute = nil
      if get_column(name, parent.active_record)
        attribute = parent.table[name]
      elsif (segments = name.to_s.split(/_/)).size > 1
        remainder = []
        found_assoc = nil
        while remainder.unshift(segments.pop) && segments.size > 0 && !found_assoc do
          if found_assoc = get_association(segments.join('_'), parent.active_record)
            if found_assoc.options[:polymorphic]
              unless delimiter = remainder.index('type')
                raise PolymorphicAssociationMissingTypeError, "Polymorphic association specified without a type"
              end
              polymorphic_class, attribute_name = remainder[0...delimiter].join('_'),
                                                  remainder[delimiter + 1...remainder.size].join('_')
              polymorphic_class = polymorphic_class.classify.constantize
              join = build_or_find_association(found_assoc.name, parent, polymorphic_class)
              attribute = get_attribute(attribute_name, join)
            else
              join = build_or_find_association(found_assoc.name, parent, found_assoc.klass)
              attribute = get_attribute(remainder.join('_'), join)
            end
          end
        end
      end