obtain
[ uhb-teyn ]
/ əbˈteɪn /
verb (used with object)
to come into possession of; get, acquire, or procure, as through an effort or by a request: to obtain permission; to obtain a better income.
Obsolete.
to attain or reach.
verb (used without object)
to be prevalent, customary, or in vogue; prevail: the morals that obtained in Rome.
Archaic.
to succeed.
Origin of obtain
1375–1425; late Middle English
obteinen < Middle French
obtenir < Latin
obtinēre to take hold of, equivalent to
ob-
ob- +
-tinēre (combining form of
tenēre to hold)
SYNONYMS FOR obtain
OTHER WORDS FROM obtain
Words nearby obtain
Example sentences from the Web for obtain
British Dictionary definitions for obtain
obtain
/ (əbˈteɪn) /
verb
(tr)
to gain possession of; acquire; get
(intr)
to be customary, valid, or accepted
a new law obtains in this case
(tr) archaic
to arrive at
(intr) archaic
to win a victory; succeed
Derived forms of obtain
obtainable, adjective obtainability, noun obtainer, noun obtainment, nounWord Origin for obtain
C15: via Old French from Latin
obtinēre to take hold of, from
ob- (intensive) +
tenēre to hold