Obtain Definition

əb-tān, ŏb-
obtained, obtaining, obtains
verb
obtained, obtaining, obtains
To get possession of, esp. by some effort; procure.
Webster's New World
To succeed in gaining possession of as the result of planning or endeavor; acquire.
American Heritage
To be in force or in effect; prevail.
A law that no longer obtains.
Webster's New World
To arrive at; reach or achieve.
Webster's New World
To succeed.
Webster's New World

Origin of Obtain

  • From Anglo-Norman obtenir, optiner et al., and Middle French obtenir, from Latin obtinÄ“re (“to gain, achieve, succeed, possess"), from ob- + tenÄ“re (“to hold").

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English obteinen from Old French obtenir from Latin obtinēre ob- intensive pref. ob– tenēre to hold ten- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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