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 unobtainable
British Dictionary definitions for unobtainable (1 of 2)
unobtainable
/ (ˌʌnəbˈteɪnəbəl) /
adjective
not able to be obtained
British Dictionary definitions for unobtainable (2 of 2)
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