Main Entry: ob·tain

Pronunciation: \əb-ˈtān, äb-\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English obteinen, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French obtenir, from Latin obtinēre to hold on to, possess, obtain, from ob- in the way + tenēre to hold — more at thin

Date: 15th century

transitive verb : to gain or attain usually by planned action or effortintransitive verb 1 archaic : succeed
2 : to be generally recognized or established : prevail

— ob·tain·abil·i·ty \-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— ob·tain·able \-ˈtā-nə-bəl\ adjective

— ob·tain·er noun

— ob·tain·ment \-ˈtān-mənt\ noun