Search Result for "acquire": 
Wordnet 3.0

VERB (7)

1. come into the possession of something concrete or abstract;
- Example: "She got a lot of paintings from her uncle"
- Example: "They acquired a new pet"
- Example: "Get your results the next day"
- Example: "Get permission to take a few days off from work"
[syn: get, acquire]

2. take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect;
- Example: "His voice took on a sad tone"
- Example: "The story took a new turn"
- Example: "he adopted an air of superiority"
- Example: "She assumed strange manners"
- Example: "The gods assume human or animal form in these fables"
[syn: assume, acquire, adopt, take on, take]

3. come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and attributes);
- Example: "He grew a beard"
- Example: "The patient developed abdominal pains"
- Example: "I got funny spots all over my body"
- Example: "Well-developed breasts"
[syn: grow, develop, produce, get, acquire]

4. locate (a moving entity) by means of a tracking system such as radar;

5. win something through one's efforts;
- Example: "I acquired a passing knowledge of Chinese"
- Example: "Gain an understanding of international finance"
[syn: acquire, win, gain]

6. gain knowledge or skills;
- Example: "She learned dancing from her sister"
- Example: "I learned Sanskrit"
- Example: "Children acquire language at an amazing rate"
[syn: learn, larn, acquire]

7. gain through experience;
- Example: "I acquired a strong aversion to television"
- Example: "Children must develop a sense of right and wrong"
- Example: "Dave developed leadership qualities in his new position"
- Example: "develop a passion for painting"
[syn: develop, acquire, evolve]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Acquire \Ac*quire"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Acquired; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Acquiring.] [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.
                                                  --Barrow.
   [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.      --Blackstone.
   [1913 Webster]

   Syn: To obtain; gain; attain; procure; win; earn; secure. See
        Obtain.
        [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

acquire
    v 1: come into the possession of something concrete or abstract;
         "She got a lot of paintings from her uncle"; "They acquired
         a new pet"; "Get your results the next day"; "Get
         permission to take a few days off from work" [syn: get,
         acquire]
    2: take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect; "His voice took
       on a sad tone"; "The story took a new turn"; "he adopted an
       air of superiority"; "She assumed strange manners"; "The gods
       assume human or animal form in these fables" [syn: assume,
       acquire, adopt, take on, take]
    3: come to have or undergo a change of (physical features and
       attributes); "He grew a beard"; "The patient developed
       abdominal pains"; "I got funny spots all over my body";
       "Well-developed breasts" [syn: grow, develop, produce,
       get, acquire]
    4: locate (a moving entity) by means of a tracking system such
       as radar
    5: win something through one's efforts; "I acquired a passing
       knowledge of Chinese"; "Gain an understanding of
       international finance" [syn: acquire, win, gain] [ant:
       lose]
    6: gain knowledge or skills; "She learned dancing from her
       sister"; "I learned Sanskrit"; "Children acquire language at
       an amazing rate" [syn: learn, larn, acquire]
    7: gain through experience; "I acquired a strong aversion to
       television"; "Children must develop a sense of right and
       wrong"; "Dave developed leadership qualities in his new
       position"; "develop a passion for painting" [syn: develop,
       acquire, evolve]