acquire
UK: əˈkwaɪə | US: əˈkwaɪər
vt. to gain or obtain something through effort or experience
vt. to develop or learn a skill, habit, or quality over time
acquire = ac<to, toward> + quire<seek>
- ac (prefix): From Latin ad- ("to, toward"), assimilated to ac- before q. Indicates direction or addition.
- quire (root): From Latin quaerere ("to seek, ask"). Retains the core idea of seeking or obtaining.
Etymology Origin:
The word acquire traces back to Latin acquirere, a combination of ad- (intensifying "to") and quaerere ("to seek"). It originally meant "to seek in addition to," evolving into the modern sense of gaining something through effort. The spelling shift from ad- to ac- reflects phonetic assimilation before q. The root quire appears in related words like inquire (to seek information) and requirement (something sought as essential).
She worked hard to acquire fluency in Spanish.
The company plans to acquire a smaller competitor this year.
Over time, he acquired a reputation for honesty.
Children acquire language skills naturally through interaction.
The museum acquired a rare painting from the 17th century.