obtain

[uhb-teyn]

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)

Related formsob·tain·a·ble, adjectiveob·tain·a·bil·i·ty, nounob·tain·er, nounob·tain·ment, nounpre·ob·tain, verb (used with object)pre·ob·tain·a·ble, adjectivere·ob·tain, verb (used with object)re·ob·tain·a·ble, adjectiveun·ob·tain·a·ble, adjectiveun·ob·tained, adjective

Synonyms for obtain

1. gain, achieve, earn, win, attain. See get.

Antonyms for obtain

1. lose, forgo.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for obtainability

obtain

verb

(tr) to gain possession of; acquire; get

(intr) to be customary, valid, or accepteda new law obtains in this case

(tr) archaic to arrive at

(intr) archaic to win a victory; succeed

Derived Formsobtainable, adjectiveobtainability, nounobtainer, nounobtainment, noun

Word Origin for obtain

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for obtainability

obtain

early 15c., from Middle French obtenir "acquire, obtain" (14c.), from Latin obtinere "hold, hold fast, take hold of, get possession of, acquire," from ob "to" (though perhaps intensive in this case; see ob-) + tenere "to hold" (see tenet). Related: Obtained; obtaining.