obtain
Use Obtain in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to come into possession of; get, acquire, or procure, as through an effort or by a request: to obtain permission; to obtain a better income.
2.
Obsolete. to attain or reach.
verb (used without object)
3.
to be prevalent, customary, or in vogue; prevail: the morals that obtained in Rome.
4.
Archaic. to succeed.
Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English obteinen < Middle French obtenir < Latin obtinēre to take hold of, equivalent to ob- ob- + -tinēre (combining form of tenēre to hold)
1375–1425; late Middle English obteinen < Middle French obtenir < Latin obtinēre to take hold of, equivalent to ob- ob- + -tinēre (combining form of tenēre to hold)
Related forms
ob·tain·a·ble, adjective
ob·tain·a·bil·i·ty, noun
ob·tain·er, noun
ob·tain·ment, noun
pre·ob·tain, verb (used with object)
pre·ob·tain·a·ble, adjective
re·ob·tain, verb (used with object)
re·ob·tain·a·ble, adjective
un·ob·tain·a·ble, adjective
un·ob·tained, adjective
Antonyms
1. lose, forgo.
1. lose, forgo.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To obtain
00:10
Obtain
is a GRE word you need to know.
So is obtrusive. Does it mean:
| having or showing a disposition to obtrude, as by imposing oneself or one's opinions on others |
| lacking in adroitness; unskillful; awkward; bungling; tactless: |
Collins
World English Dictionary
obtain (əbˈteɪn) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | (tr) to gain possession of; acquire; get |
| 2. | (intr) to be customary, valid, or accepted: a new law obtains in this case |
| 3. | archaic (tr) to arrive at |
| 4. | archaic (intr) to win a victory; succeed |
| [C15: via Old French from Latin obtinēre to take hold of, from ob- (intensive) + tenēre to hold] | |
| ob'tainable | |
| —adj | |
| obtaina'bility | |
| —n | |
| ob'tainer | |
| —n | |
| ob'tainment | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
obtain
c.1425, from M.Fr. obtenir (14c.), from L. obtinere "hold, take hold of, acquire," from ob "to" (though perhaps intensive in this case) + tenere "to hold" (see tenet).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
Example sentences
After a single extension, you might need to leave the country and reenter to obtain a new visa.
Until now, however, researchers have not been able to obtain good observational data on regional trends.
Organic dyes reduce the cost of making the cells because they are more abundant and cheaper to obtain than ruthenium compounds.
It is often necessary to approach a string of referees in order to obtain the requisite number of references.
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
