New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
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 — I verb accumulate, achieve, acquire, adipisci, appropriate, arrive at, attain, be in receipt of, capture, collect, come into possession, consequi. earn, enter into possession, gain, gain possession, gather, get, get hold of, get possession of,… … Law dictionary
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
