obtain

[uhb-teyn]

See more synonyms for obtain on Thesaurus.com

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

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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. 2018

Related Words for obtainment

addition, purchase, procurement, recovery, gain, possession, buy, prize, winning, attainment, acquirement, pursuit, learning, accretion, property, salvage, retrieval, achievement, redemption, acquiring

Examples from the Web for obtainment

Historical Examples of obtainment

On the other hand, the idea of an obtainment is simply that of a gift.
The Theology of Holiness
Dougan Clark
It will certainly prove a valuable factor in the obtainment of passenger traffic.
A Report on Washington Territory
William Henry Ruffner
The gentleman set out by congratulating the electors of Dudley on the obtainment of the elective franchise.
The Curiosities of Dudley and the Black Country, From 1800 to 1860
C. F. G. Clark
The means for the obtainment of a simply classical education are now at the very door.
The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation
Charles Roger
The Atharva-veda adds that he set down a stone on the ground, asking the bride to step upon it for the obtainment of offspring.
A History of Sanskrit Literature
Arthur A. MacDonell

British Dictionary definitions for obtainment

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 obtainment

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.