Obtain

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /əbˈteɪn/

Definitions

  1. To get or acquire something through effort or request
  2. To secure or gain possession of something by making an effort or through a formal process | To attain a certain item or result through various means or actions | To successfully acquire an object or outcome as a result of endeavoring or asking
  3. To successfully acquire something through effort, seeking, or necessity

Etymology: The verb "obtain" has a lineage that traces back to the Latin word "obtinere", which means "to hold on to" or "to get." This term is a compound of "ob," meaning "against" or "in front of," and "tenere," which translates to "to hold." The evolution of this word into English reflects a gradual shift from a more tactile sense of holding something to the abstract notion of acquiring or gaining possession of something through effort or action. "Obtain" entered the English language in the late 14th century, emerging from the Old French "obtenir," which itself derived from the aforementioned Latin root. Its first recorded usage in English appears around 1380, in the writings of John Wycliffe, who translated the Bible into English. This early usage illustrates how the term retained its core meaning of acquiring or gaining possession, suggesting a continuity of concept from its Latin origins through to its adoption into Middle English. Over the centuries, "obtain" has maintained its focus on the act of acquisition, whether it be tangible items or abstract concepts such as knowledge, rights, or approval. While the word has consistently implied effort or intent in the process of gaining, it has also adapted to fit various contexts, from legal terminology to everyday conversation. This flexibility in usage underlines the term's enduring relevance in the English lexicon, as it continues to serve as a key expression of human endeavor in achieving goals. Thus, the journey of "obtain" from ancient Latin to modern English encapsulates not only the evolution of language but also the persistent human desire to possess and hold onto what is sought after, bridging the physical and the abstract in a single evocative term.

Synonyms: acquire, get, procure

Antonyms: lose, forfeit