\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.

\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.

\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.