acquire

[uh-kwahyuh r] /əˈkwaɪər/
verb (used with object), acquired, acquiring.
1.
to come into possession or ownership of; get as one's own:
to acquire property.
2.
to gain for oneself through one's actions or efforts:
to acquire learning.
3.
Linguistics. to achieve native or nativelike command of (a language or a linguistic rule or element).
4.
Military. to locate and track (a moving target) with a detector, as radar.
Origin
1400-50; < Latin acquīrere to add to one's possessions, acquire (ac- ac- + -quīrere, combining form of quaerere to search for, obtain); replacing late Middle English aquere < Middle French aquerre < Latin
Related forms
acquirable, adjective
acquirability, noun
acquirer, noun
preacquire, verb, preacquired, preacquiring.
reacquire, verb (used with object), reacquired, reacquiring.
self-acquired, adjective
unacquirable, adjective
unacquired, adjective
well-acquired, adjective
Synonyms
1. See get. 2. win, earn, attain; appropriate.
Examples from the web for acquire
  • acquire all domains as a package, and receive a big discount.
  • And yet, when the overheated prose cools down, Bryson's themes of self-exposure and self-invention acquire a sad dignity.
  • The influx of cash is letting governments acquire land at bargain prices.
  • Reduce the number of plastic bags you acquire.
  • You acquire the necessary skill by diligent practice with balanced tackle.
  • They can determine which publishers acquire similar books.
  • We will acquire new forces, new abilities.
  • The Smithsonian acquires almost all of its collections as gifts.
  • When wet, hair and many fabrics acquire a weak negative charge.
  • And now, the space agency wants your input on what images to acquire next.
British Dictionary definitions for acquire

acquire

/əˈkwaɪə/
verb
1.
(transitive) to get or gain (something, such as an object, trait, or ability), esp more or less permanently
Derived Forms
acquirable, adjective
acquirement, noun
acquirer, noun
Word Origin
C15: via Old French from Latin acquīrere, from ad- in addition + quaerere to get, seek
Word Origin and History for acquire
v.

mid-15c., acqueren, from Old French aquerre "acquire, gain, earn, procure," from Vulgar Latin *acquaerere, from Latin acquirere "to seek in addition to" (see acquisition). Reborrowed in current form from Latin c.1600. Related: Acquired; acquiring.