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)

OTHER WORDS FROM 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, noun

Word Origin for obtain

C15: via Old French from Latin obtinēre to take hold of, from ob- (intensive) + tenēre to hold