ad-

to, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

Forms

ad-
ac- — Used before c in Latin.
af- — Used before f in Latin.
ag- — Used before g in Latin.
al- — Used before l in Latin.
ap- — Used before p in Latin.
ar- — Used before r in Latin.
as- — Used before s in Latin.
at- — Used before t in Latin.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *ad, ‘to; near.’

Note

Later Latin-based spellings sometimes restored consonants that had disappeared in French.

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verb

acquire

uh-KWYRE/əˈkwaɪər/

To get or come to have something.

She acquires a new book from the seller and adds it to her collection.

A woman receives a newly purchased plain-covered book from a bookseller and places it beside two books she already owns, clearly gaining possession; no title or shop text.

Etymology

acLatinto, toward; addition; sometimes emphasis

+quireLatinseek, ask, investigate

The root means seeking to obtain, while ad- may simply add emphasis here. The combined Latin verb meant gaining or accumulating: the emphasis is on obtaining something, not merely seeking it.

In context

Haris Kravvaritis3:57

I had begun to acquire an up-to-date insight into Indian Affairs in 1944

The Life and Times of Lord Mountbatten 09of12 The Last Viceroy

More examples

The museum acquired a painting.
He is acquiring practical experience.
The metal had acquired a green surface.

Forms

acquire · acquires · acquired · acquiring

Similar words

obtain: Obtain often implies a deliberate effort.
gain: Gain can emphasize increase or benefit rather than possession.