v.
Pronunciation: ə b- ' t ā n, äb-
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English obteinen, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French obtenir, from Latin obtin ē re to hold on to, possess, obtain, from ob- in the way + ten ē re to hold ― more at THIN
Date: 15th century
transitive verb : to gain or attain usually by planned action or effort
intransitive verb
1 archaic : SUCCEED
2 : to be generally recognized or established : PREVAIL
– ob · tain · abil · i · ty \ - ˌ t ā -n ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē \ noun
– ob · tain · able \ - ' t ā -n ə -b ə l \ adjective
– ob · tain · er noun
– ob · tain · ment \ - ' t ā n-m ə nt \ noun