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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Obtene, -tein(e, v. Also: obten; obteyn(e, -teygne; obtin(e, -tyn; obtain; obtane; obtean(e; obteen(e. [Late ME. (Lydgate) and e.m.E. obteyne, -teine, e.m.E. obtain (c 1530), -tayne (1526), F. obtenir (14th c. in Littré), L. obtinēre. Cf. Optene.] To obtain.

1. tr. To procure or gain, to acquire, to get; to attain to, win; also, to obtain by legal action. = Optene v. 1.(a) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 275 (C).
And when that we obtene it may We shall it ȝow send Ib. 1306.
Obtened 1477–8 Reg. Episc. Glasg. 462.
At the said Schir Alexander Heriot … had lachfully … obtenyt the forsaid tenement 1531 Reg. Morton II. 259.
To fynd and obtene the coles … lyand within the scheriffdome of Lowdiane 1557–8 Lochwinnoch Par. 60.
Charles Pollok … hes obtenit lettres to … distrenȝe our guidis and geir 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2833.
We sall obtene riches aboundantlie a1570-86 Maitl. F. clvii. 55.
Pure commounis can never obtene Ane dayis lenthe with him to speik 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 158/28.
That we mycht obtene euerlastand lyf 1562-3 Winȝet I. 4/15. 1574 Reg. Privy C. II. 354. 1578 Edinb. Test. VI. 178 b.
In cais my executouris forsaidis can nocht gudelie recouer & obtene all my dettis a1578 Pitsc. I. 114/21, 22.
Obtenit Ib. 128/19.
Obtened 1582 St. A. Kirk S. 491.
Thair parentis consentis obtenit 1591 Reg. Morton I. 178.
I haue obtenit na certaintie … of the awaytakaris of ȝoure l. seruandis geir 1595 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 63.
Seing it is luiked for be all men that the said erll … sall obtene himselff relayce 1607 Yester Writs 285.
To obtene and get ane new intrant honest man sufficientlie qualifeit … provydit to the personage c1615 Chron. Kings 167.
For his gratious maiestie happe in obtening the crowne of Ingland 1622-6 Bisset I. 110/18. 16.. Hist. Kennedy 26.(b) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 76 (D).
Frome Menelay … Grace at lykynge obteyned thai 1552 Corr. M. Lorraine 362.
Obteygnede 1558-66 Knox II. 380.
Obteined 1572 Elgin Rec. I. 133. a1585 Maitl. Q. lxxv. 10.
Is not a trustie freind by tryell bocht And moir account then ten obteynd for nocht 1570 Leslie 13.
Obteyned a1578 Pitsc. I. 279/9.
Quhene he had obteinnit his pensioun Ib. II. 135/25.
They … sought towis to bind him bot they could not obtein nane c1590 J. Stewart II. 53/11.
For till obteine his luiflie ladie ding He trauell tuik 1586 Thanes of Cawdor 189.
To obtein to him the causualiteis of the saidis courtis 1596 Dalr. I. 106/15.
Quha obteineng the first place walde appoynt certane lawis Ib. 91/6.
Obteined Ib. 324/28.
Obteinet 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 40/5. 1606 Craig ii. 34.
They dround them selues, & nothing els obteind 1615 Lanark B. Rec. 125. 1658 Cramond Kirk S. 8 Aug.
The session with much difficultie having obteined thair bellabsol. 1658 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 177.
Nevertheles we ar not to give over but still to wrestle till we obteine(c) 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 239.
Now am I onhabill to obtyn possession without greitt inconwenience 1571 Leslie in Cal. Sc. P. III. 529.
Ȝit he had obtined liciens to me to remane a1578 Pitsc. I. 248/27.
This hollie bischope who … obtinitt great favour of great men 1596 Dalr. II. 68/11.
He commandis that … he do al diligens the dukes dauchter to obtine, Marie, to him in mariage 1671 Rep. Hist. MSS., Var. Coll. V. 253.
Obtin(d) a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 176 (Wr.).
As foolish Phaeton by sute His father's chaire obtainde [W. obteind, L. obtenit] 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 56/11.
& … obtainis the croune of æternall felicitie 1663 Decis. Lords G. 44.
Major William Campbel … obtains decreet(e) c1600 Montg. Suppl. vii. 22.
Sum tyme guid hoip ȝour luiff trowis to obtane 1627 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 268.
I being his favorer did obtane his sute(f) 1570 Southesk MSS. 722.
We have … socht to obteane the favorable aide of … the Quene of Einglande a1578 Pitsc. I. 24/2.
Obteanit c1590 Fowler I. 61/103.
I never … anye pleasour culd obteane 1659 Ure Rutherglen 54.
To obteane abatements in your assessements 1677 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III. 101. 1678 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 262.
Conform to decreit obteant at his anstance(g) 1638 Baillie I. 70.
Some lawers … who obteened the hands of all these clanes to the covenant of the countrie 1638 Lanark Presb. 11.
Without all order or advyse of the Church obteened theirunto ?a1640 Copie of a Baron's Court (1821) 24.
Unless that leave be asked and obteen'd

b. With personal object: To get or take into custody or into one's hands. 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 171.
That the persone of the King be conteaned in saiftie and the aduersarie pairtie sall nocht … obteine him in thair handis 1572 Canongate Ct. Bk. 402.
And declarit that he had obtenit the steillaris of the saidis skynnis c1590 Fowler I. 58/19.
Orpheus … following hir to hell Obtened hir with him agane

c. To achieve, accomplish, attain (a purpose or objective). 1558-66 Knox II. 285.
How oft have the papistis … bein required to come to conference, and yitt could it never be obteaned 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 58.
He … ceassed not till that he obteaned his formest purpose a1578 Pitsc. I. 51/26. Ib. 115/22.
Because they knew thair deidlie enemies … lyklie to obteine his [sic] wickit intent

d. Const. object and past part.: To get (something done). 1562 St. A. Kirk S. 172.
The ministerie decernis hyr … to underly disciplin and obteyn hyr barne baptised 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 281.
[He] come … to Edinburgh and obtenit litill or nathing of his errands expeid 1602 Conv. Burghs II. 129.
The said James … to obteyne the said chairtour lauchfulle transumit … and … to obteyne the samyn confermeit in parliament 1615 Glasgow Chart. I. ii. 295. a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1677) 100.
He took journey to Rome to obtain his election confirmed Ib. 201. 1652 Aberd. Council Lett. III. 197.
Yow ar to doe your best to obtein us liberat of the samen [cess]

2. To be successful in, win (an action at law). 1424 Acts II. 8/2.
And gif sic caus be obtenyt the wrangar sall assyth bath the party scathit & the aduocatis costis & trauale 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 974.
Ane aduocait … That … obtenit had my friwoll actioun almoist 1559 Admir. Ct. Bk. (St. S.) 94.
In cais he obtene the present actioun dependand betuix thame

3. To gain possession of by battle or conquest; to conquer (territory etc.); to take or occupy (a fortress etc.). = Optene v. 2.c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3643. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 6148.
The king causit his armie Lay ane assault … Quhill thay war like for to obtene the toun a1578 Pitsc. II. 105/11.
[They] obtined Fastcastell in the same maner Ib. 160/14.
[They] past to Stirling and obtennit the toune thairof 1596 Dalr. II. 193/31.
Obteine

4. To gain, win (the, or a, victory). c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1247.
And I also with Achilles … Obtened victouris full mony c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2449.
Off victorie thay did obtene the croun a1578 Pitsc. I. 127/28.
Quhilk maid ane facell pethway to the Scottismen that day to obtene the wictorie Ib. 142/2.
The wictorie laittlie obteined c1590 Fowler II. 146/19. 1596 Dalr. II. 256/28.
Heir tha obteine the occasioune of the victorie and to bring Scotland vnder ȝok 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 23.
Obteyned