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