Main Entry: ¹pur·chase

Pronunciation: \ˈpər-chəs\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): pur·chased; pur·chas·ing

Etymology: Middle English purchacen, from Anglo-French purchacer to strive for, obtain, from por-, pur- thoroughly, to a conclusion (from Latin pro- forward, for) + chacer to pursue, chase — more at pro-

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 a archaic : gain, acquire b : to acquire (real estate) by means other than descent c : to obtain by paying money or its equivalent : buy d : to obtain by labor, danger, or sacrifice
2 : to constitute the means for buying <our dollars purchase less each year>intransitive verb : to purchase something

— pur·chas·able \-chə-sə-bəl\ adjective

— pur·chas·er noun