First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
acquire
verb ac·quire \ə-ˈkwī(-ə)r\
: to get (something) : to come to own (something) : to come to have (something)
: to gain (a new skill, ability, etc.) usually by your own effort
ac·quiredac·quir·ing
Full Definition of ACQUIRE
transitive verb
1
: to get as one's own: a : to come into possession or control of often by unspecified means b : to come to have as a new or added characteristic, trait, or ability (as by sustained effort or natural selection) <acquire fluency in French> <bacteria that acquire tolerance to antibiotics>
2
: to locate and hold (a desired object) in a detector <acquire a target by radar>
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Origin of ACQUIRE
Middle English aqueren, from Anglo-French acquerre, from Latin acquirere, from ad- + quaerere to seek, obtain
Rhymes with ACQUIRE
ACQUIRING Defined for Kids
acquire
verb ac·quire \ə-ˈkwīr\
ac·quiredac·quir·ing
Definition of ACQUIRE for Kids
: to get especially through effort : gain <acquire a skill>
Medical Dictionary
acquire
transitive verb ac·quire \ə-ˈkwī(ə)r\
ac·quiredac·quir·ing
Medical Definition of ACQUIRE
: to come to have as a new or additional characteristic, trait, or ability (as by sustained effort, by mutation, or through environmental forces) <a cognitive system…that is acquired in early childhood—Noam Chomsky> <bacteria that acquire tolerance to antibiotics> <insects that acquire resistance to insecticides>
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