obtain

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   come into possession of

   How did you obtain the visa?

2. 2
   verb

   To get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way.

   obtain permission

3. 3
   verb

   To secure (that) a specific objective or state of affairs be reached.

   he was condemned to die for the felony, and being so well known for an old offender, had certainly died, but the merchant, upon his earnest application, had obtained that he should be transported, on condition that he restored all the rest of his bills, which he had done accordingly.

4. 4
   verb

   To prevail, be victorious; to succeed.

   “O daughter deare!” (said she) “despeire no whit; / For never sore but might a salve obtain [...].”

5. 5
   verb

   To hold; to keep, possess or occupy.

   His mother then is mortal, but his Sire / He who obtains the monarchy of Heav'n, / And what will he not do to advance his Son?

6. 6
   verb

   To exist or be the case; to hold true, be in force.

   Even though the Pervaise confession had never come to light, no reasonable doubt could obtain; for the act in question […] was on a par with countless other acts committed by the oligarchs, and, before them, by the capitalists.

7. 7
   verb

   receive a specified treatment (abstract)

8. 8
   verb

   be valid, applicable, or true

Etymology

From Middle English obteinen, from Anglo-Norman obtenir, optiner et al., and Middle French obtenir, from Latin obtinēre (“to gain, achieve, succeed, possess”), from ob- + tenēre (“to hold”).