obtain

B1 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /əbˈteɪn/ See IPA manual

Freq #7933

Meanings

1

verb
To get something, especially by making an effort.

How did you obtain a copy of the report?
2

verb
To exist or be true in a particular situation.

The same rules obtain in every branch of the company.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to get something,... acquire attain gain get procure

2 verb · to exist or be true in a... hold

Word family

Forms obtainedobtainingobtains

Derived forms obtainabilityobtainableobtainanceobtainer obtainmentpreobtainreobtainunobtainabilityunobtained

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”).

*ten- Proto-Indo-European obteinen Middle English obtenir Middle French obtinēre Latin

View etymology graph ->

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# obtain

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** verb
**IPA (US):** /əbˈteɪn/
**Frequency rank:** 7933

## Meanings
1. To get something, especially by making an effort.
2. To exist or be true in a particular situation.

## Examples
- How did you obtain a copy of the report?
- The same rules obtain in every branch of the company.

## Derived Forms
- obtainability
- obtainable
- obtainance
- obtainer
- obtainment
- preobtain
- reobtain
- unobtainability
- unobtained

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *ten-
- Root: obteinen
- Root: obtenir
- Root: obtinēre

## 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”).

## AI Etymology
Obtain comes 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”). The historical chain includes Proto-Indo-European *ten-, Middle English obteinen, xno obtenir, Middle French obtenir, and Latin obtinēre. Modern senses include to get something, especially by making an effort and to exist or be true in a particular situation. The wider word family includes derivatives such as obtainability, obtainable, obtainance, obtainer, obtainment, and preobtain.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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obtain

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