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preobtain

 - 2 dictionary results

ob⋅tain

  [uhb-teyn]
Use preobtain 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 ME obteinen < MF obtenir < L obtinēre to take hold of, equiv. to ob- ob- + -tinēre (comb. 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

Synonyms:
1. gain, achieve, earn, win, attain. See get.

Antonyms:
1. lose, forgo.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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