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.
Words nearby obtain
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
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for obtaining
British Dictionary definitions for obtaining
obtain
/ (əbˈteɪn) /
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 forms of obtain
obtainable, adjectiveobtainability, nounobtainer, nounobtainment, nounWord 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
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