prəˈkyu̇(ə)r, prōˈk-, -u̇ə verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English procuren to take care of, bring about, obtain, from Late Latin & Latin; Late Latin procurare to obtain, from Latin, to take care of, from pro- for, on behalf of + curare to take care of — more at pro- , cure
transitive verb
1.
a.
(1) : to get possession of : obtain , acquire
procuring extra equipment and supplies — H.G.Armstrong
especially : to get possession of by particular care or effort
it fell to my lot … to scurry around and procure manuscripts — A.W.Long
and sometimes by devious means
procured enormous wealth by such dealings
(2) : gain , win
the judicial qualities he developed … procured for him universal confidence and respect — H.W.H.Knott
b. : to get possession of (women) and make available for promiscuous sexual intercourse (as in a house of prostitution)
2.
a.
(1) : to cause to happen or be done : bring about : effect
procured temporary agreement
: achieve
failed to procure a coherent theory — Joseph Conrad
especially : to bring about by particular care or effort
had procured the enactment of a more complete system of defense laws — F.L.Paxson
procuring the release of a man in jail — Peggy Durdin
and sometimes by devious means
on trial for procuring perjury — Time
(2) : to bring about by scheming and plotting : contrive
procured the downfall of the government
did not hesitate to procure murder — Will Irwin & T.M.Johnson
b. archaic : to cause to be treated in an indicated way or to undergo something indicated
intended by one who procures another to be indicted — O.W.Holmes †1935
3.
a. : to prevail upon to do something indicated : induce
procuring a witness to commit perjury
b. obsolete : to cause (as by persuading or alluring) to come to an indicated place : bring
what unaccustomed cause procures her hither — Shakespeare
intransitive verb
: to procure women for promiscuous sexual intercourse
arrested on charges of procuring — Joachim Joesten
Synonyms: see get