acquire

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to come to have or undergo a change of physical features and attributes

   I acquired a beard.

2. 2
   verb

   to take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect

   They acquired excellent style abroad.

3. 3
   verb

   to gain through experience

   I acquired a strong aversion to television.

4. 4
   verb

   to come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

   I acquired a new car.

5. 5
   verb

   to win something through one's efforts

   I acquired a passing knowledge of Chinese.

6. 6
   verb

   to locate a moving entity by means of a tracking system such as radar

   They acquired the target and prepared to fire the missiles.

7. 7
   verb

   To gain, usually by one's own exertions; to get as one's own.

   to acquire a skill

8. 8
   verb

   To get.

Etymology

From Middle English acqueren, from Old French aquerre, from Latin acquirō; ad- + quaerō (“to seek for”). See quest.