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):

acquiring
    n 1: the act of acquiring something; "I envied his talent for
         acquiring"; "he's much more interested in the getting than
         in the giving" [syn: acquiring, getting]