v. & n.
--v.tr.
1. acquire by payment; buy.
2 obtain or achieve at some cost.
3 Naut. haul up (an anchor etc.) by means of a pulley, lever, etc.
--n.
1. the act or an instance of buying.
2 something bought.
3 Law the acquisition of property by one's personal action and not by inheritance.
4 a a firm hold on a thing to move it or to prevent it from slipping; leverage. b a device or tackle for moving heavy objects.
5 the annual rent or return from land.
Phrases and idioms:
purchase tax Brit. hist. a tax on goods bought, levied at higher rates for non-essential or luxury goods.
Derivatives:
purchasable adj. purchaser n.
Etymology: ME f. AF purchacer, OF pourchacier seek to obtain (as PUR-, CHASE(1))