obtain Hear it!

obtain definition

ob·tain (əb tān′)

transitive verb

  1. to get possession of, esp. by some effort; procure
  2. Archaic to arrive at; reach or achieve

Etymology: ME obteinen < OFr obtenir < L obtinere, to obtain, prevail, maintain < ob- (see ob-) + tenere, to hold: see tenant

intransitive verb

  1. to be in force or in effect; prevail a law that no longer obtains
  2. Archaic to succeed

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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