obtain

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To get hold of

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

   • obtain permission
   • obtain information
   • difficult to obtain
2. 2

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

3. 3

   To prevail, be victorious

   To prevail, be victorious; to succeed.

   • “O daughter deare!” (said she) “despeire no whit; / For never sore but might a salve obtain [...].”
   • This, though it failed at present, yet afterward obtained, and was a mighty step to the ruin of the commonwealth.
4. ›+ 2 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To hold

      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?
   2. 5

      To exist or be the case

      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.
      • But the hostage situation no longer obtains, and so Uncle Enzo feels it important to stop Rife now, […]

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