Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - obtain

 verb  Etymology: Middle English obteinen, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French obtenir, from Latin obtinere to hold on to, possess, ~, from ob- in the way + tenere 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  • ~ability noun  • ~able adjective  • ~er noun  • ~ment noun