Obtain — Ob*tain , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Obtained}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Obtaining}.] [F. obtenir, L. obtinere; ob (see {Ob }) + tenere to hold. See {Tenable}.] [1913 Webster] 1. To hold; to keep; to possess. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] His mother, then, is mortal,… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Obtain — Ob*tain , v. i. 1. To gain or have a firm footing; to be recognized or established; to become prevalent or general; to prevail; as, the custom obtains of going to the seashore in summer. [1913 Webster] Sobriety hath by use obtained to signify… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
obtain — [əb tān′] vt. [ME obteinen < OFr obtenir < L obtinere, to obtain, prevail, maintain < ob (see OB ) + tenere, to hold: see TENANT] 1. to get possession of, esp. by some effort; procure 2. Archaic to arrive at; reach or achieve vi. 1. to… … English World dictionary
obtain — (v.) early 15c., from M.Fr. obtenir (14c.), from L. obtinere hold, take hold of, acquire, from ob to (though perhaps intensive in this case; see OB (Cf. ob )) + tenere to hold (see TENET (Cf. tenet)). Related: Obtained; obtaining … Etymology dictionary
obtain — *get, procure, secure, acquire, gain, win Analogous words: gain, *reach, achieve, attain: effect, fulfill, accomplish, *perform … New Dictionary of Synonyms
obtain — is a formal and often pretentious word, and no one should be afraid of using the perfectly respectable word get in most contexts … Modern English usage
obtain — [v] get, acquire access, accomplish, achieve, annex, attain, beg borrow or steal*, capture, chalk up*, collect, come by, compass, cop*, corral, drum up*, earn, effect, fetch, gain, gather, get at, get hold of*, get one’s hands on*, glean, gobble… … New thesaurus
obtain — ► VERB 1) come into possession of; get. 2) formal be prevalent, customary, or established. DERIVATIVES obtainable adjective. ORIGIN Latin obtinere … English terms dictionary
obtain — 01. Where can I [obtain] information about registering for regular courses? 02. Some medicinal herbs that were previously [obtainable] at health stores are now available only with a doctor s prescription. 03. I bought this CD at a store a few… … Grammatical examples in English
obtain — verb formal 1 (T) to get something that you want, especially through your own effort, skill, or work: Further information can be obtained from head office. | They ve extended the growing season to obtain a larger crop. | the difficulty of… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
