obtain

The story

1. Latin · derived fromobtinēre“to gain, achieve, succeed, possess”
2. Middle French · derived fromobtenir
3. Anglo-Norman · derived fromobtenir
4. Middle English · inherited fromobteinen
5. English todayobtain

From Middle English obteinen, from Anglo-Norman obtenir, optiner et al., and Middle French obtenir, from Latin obtinēre (“to gain, achieve, succeed, possess”), from ob- + tenēre (“to hold”).

First known use, by meaning

• from 15th c. To get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way.
• 15th–19th c. To secure (that) a specific objective or state of affairs be reached.
• 15th–19th c. To prevail, be victorious; to succeed.
• 15th–18th c. To hold; to keep, possess or occupy.
• from 17th c. To exist or be the case; to hold true, be in force.