Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Obtain \Ob*tain"\, v. i.
   To gain or have a firm footing; to become recognized or
   established; to become or be prevalent or general; as, the
   custom obtains of going to the seashore in summer.

Obtain \Ob*tain"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Obtained}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Obtaining}.] [F. obtenir, L. obtinere; ob (see {Ob-}) +
   tenere to hold. See {Tenable}.]
   1. To hold; to keep; to possess. [Obs.]

            His mother, then, is mortal, but his Sire He who
            obtains the monarchy of heaven.       --Milton.

   2. To get hold of by effort; to gain possession of; to
      procure; to acquire, in any way.

            Some pray for riches; riches they obtain. --Dryden.

            By guileful fair words peace may be obtained.
                                                  --Shak.

            It may be that I may obtain children by her. --Gen.
                                                  xvi. 2.

   Syn: To attain; gain; procure; acquire; win; earn.

   Usage: See {Attain}. -- To {Obtain}, {Get}, {Gain}, {Earn},
          {Acquire}. The idea of getting is common to all these
          terms. We may, indeed, with only a slight change of
          sense, substitute get for either of them; as, to get
          or to gain a prize; to get or to obtain an employment;
          to get or to earn a living; to get or to acquire a
          language. To gain is to get by striving; and as this
          is often a part of our good fortune, the word gain is
          peculiarly applicable to whatever comes to us
          fortuitously. Thus, we gain a victory, we gain a
          cause, we gain an advantage, etc. To earn is to
          deserve by labor or service; as, to earn good wages;
          to earn a triumph. Unfortunately, one does not always
          get or obtain what he has earned. To obtain implies
          desire for possession, and some effort directed to the
          attainment of that which is not immediately within our
          reach. Whatever we thus seek and get, we obtain,
          whether by our own exertions or those of others;
          whether by good or bad means; whether permanently, or
          only for a time. Thus, a man obtains an employment; he
          obtains an answer to a letter, etc. To acquire is more
          limited and specific. We acquire what comes to us
          gradually in the regular exercise of our abilities,
          while we obtain what comes in any way, provided we
          desire it. Thus, we acquire knowledge, property,
          honor, reputation, etc. What we acquire becomes, to a
          great extent, permanently our own; as, to acquire a
          language; to acquire habits of industry, etc.

Obtain \Ob*tain"\, v. i.
   1. To become held; to gain or have a firm footing; to be
      recognized or established; to subsist; to become prevalent
      or general; to prevail; as, the custom obtains of going to
      the seashore in summer.

            Sobriety hath by use obtained to signify temperance
            in drinking.                          --Jer. Taylor.

            The Theodosian code, several hundred years after
            Justinian's time, did obtain in the western parts of
            Europe.                               --Baker.

   2. To prevail; to succeed. [R.] --Evelyn.

            So run that ye may obtain.            --1 Cor. ix.
                                                  24.

            There is due from the judge to the advocate, some
            commendation, where causes are fair pleaded;
            especially towards the side which obtaineth not.
                                                  --Bacon.

Source : WordNet®

obtain
     v 1: come into possession of; "How did you obtain the visa?"
     2: receive a specified treatment (abstract); "These aspects of
        civilization do not find expression or receive an
        interpretation"; "His movie received a good review"; "I
        got nothing but trouble for my good intentions" [syn: {receive},
         {get}, {find}, {incur}]
     3: be valid, applicable, or true; "This theory still holds"
        [syn: {prevail}, {hold}]