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)
Related formsob·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)
EXPANDpre·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
COLLAPSESynonyms 1. gain, achieve, earn, win, attain.
See get. Antonyms
1. lose, forgo.