Word Study
acquire
CIDE DICTIONARY
acquire, v. t. [L. acquirere, acquisitum; ad + quarere to seek for. In OE. was a verb aqueren, fr. the same, through OF. aquerre. See Quest..].
To gain, usually by one's own exertions; to get as one's own; as, to acquire a title, riches, knowledge, skill, good or bad habits. [1913 Webster]
"No virtue is acquired in an instant, but step by step." [1913 Webster]
"Descent is the title whereby a man, on the death of his ancestor, acquires his estate, by right of representation, as his heir at law." [1913 Webster]
Syn. -- To obtain; gain; attain; procure; win; earn; secure. See Obtain.
OXFORD DICTIONARY
acquire, v.tr.
1 gain by and for oneself; obtain.
2 come into possession of (acquired fame; acquired much property).
1 gain by and for oneself; obtain.
2 come into possession of (acquired fame; acquired much property).
Idiom
acquired characteristic Biol. a characteristic caused by the environment, not inherited. acquired immune deficiency syndrome Med. see AIDS. acquired taste
1 a liking gained by experience.
2 the object of such a liking.
1 a liking gained by experience.
2 the object of such a liking.
Derivative
acquirable adj.
Etymology
ME f. OF aquerre ult. f. L acquirere (as AC-, quaerere seek)
THESAURUS
acquire
accept, accumulate, achieve, add, admit, amass, annex, assume, bag, be responsible for, be seized of, bring down, bring in, bring on, bring upon, buy, capture, catch, catch up, claim, clap hands on, clasp, claw, clench, clinch, clutch, collect, come by, come in for, come into, contract, corral, cumulate, derive, derive from, drag down, drain off, draw, draw down, draw from, draw off, earn, embrace, enter into possession, fall in with, fall into, gain, garner, get, get hold of, glom on to, grab, grab hold of, grapple, grasp, grip, gripe, harvest, have, have coming in, hug, incur, invite, knock down, land, lay hands on, lay hold of, loot, make, nail, net, nip, nip up, obtain, palm, partake, pick up, pillage, pocket, possess, procure, pull down, purchase, reach, reap, receive, run, sack, score, secure, seize, snap up, snatch, steal, take, take by assault, take by storm, take hold of, take in, take on, take over, take possession, welcome, whip up, winROGET THESAURUS
acquire
Acquisition
VB acquire, get, gain, win, earn, obtain, procure, gather, collect, pick, pickup, glean, find, come upon, pitch upon, light upon, scrape up, scrape together, get in, reap and carry, net, bag, sack, bring home, secure, derive, draw, get in the harvest, profit, make profit, draw profit, turn a quick profit, turn to profit, turn to account, make capital out of, make money by, obtain a return, reap the fruits of, reap an advantage, gain an advantage, turn a penny, turn an honest penny, make the pot boil, bring grist to the mill, make money, coin money, raise money, raise funds, raise the wind, fill one's pocket, treasure up, realize, clear, produce, take, get back, recover, regain, retrieve, revendicate, replevy, redeem, come by one's own, come by, come in for, receive, inherit, step into a fortune, step into the shoes of, succeed to, get hold of, get between one's finger and thumb, get into one's hand, get at, take possession, come into possession, enter into possession, be profitable, pay, answer, accrue.Receiving
VB receive, take, acquire, admit, take in, catch, touch, pocket, put into one's pocket, put into one's purse, accept, take off one's hands, be received, come in, come to hand, pass into one's hand, fall into one's hand, go into one's pocket, fall to one's lot, fall to one's share, come to one, fall to one, accrue, have given to one.Receipt
VB receive, take money, draw from, derive from, acquire, take, bring in, yield, afford, pay, return, accrue.Production
VB produce, perform, operate, do, make, gar, form, construct, fabricate, frame, contrive, manufacture, weave, forge, coin, carve, chisel, build, raise, edify, rear, erect, put together, set up, run up, establish, constitute, compose, organize, institute, achieve, accomplish, flower, bear fruit, fructify, teem, ean, yean, farrow, drop, pup, kitten, kindle, bear, lay, whelp, bring forth, give birth to, lie in, be brought to bed of, evolve, pullulate, usher into the world, make productive, create, beget, get, generate, fecundate, impregnate, procreate, progenerate, propagate, engender, bring into being, call into being, bring into existence, breed, hatch, develop, bring up, induce, superinduce, suscitate, cause, acquire.For further exploring for "acquire" in Webster Dictionary Online