One clue is their respective etymologies: obtain comes to us via Anglo-French from the Latin verb obtinēre, meaning “to hold on to, possess,” while attain’s Anglo-French ancestor is ateindre, meaning “to reach” or “to accomplish.” Accordingly, obtain is usually the word used when...
Synonyms ofobtain transitive verb :to gain or attain usually by planned action or effort The information was difficult toobtain. Weobtaineda copy of the original letter. intransitive verb 1 :to be generally recognized or established:prevail