Etymology : Middle English purchacen, from Old French purchacier to seek to obtain, from por-, pur- for, forward + chacier to pursue, chase; more at PRO-
Pronunciation : p&r-ch&s
Function : verb
Date : 14th century
1. something which has been purchased; act of purchasing, act of buying. buy, acquire in exchange for money; procure, obtain. purchase\pur"chase\ (?; 48), n. [oe. purchds, f. pourchas eager pursuit. see:
purchase, v. t.].
2. the act of seeking, getting, or obtaining anything. [obs.] i'll get meat to have thee, or lose my life in the purchase. & fl.
3. the act of seeking and acquiring property.
4. the acquisition of title to, or properly in, anything for a price; buying for money or its equivalent. it is foolish to lay out money in the purchase of repentance.
5. that which is obtained, got, or acquired, in any manner, honestly or dishonestly; property; possession; acquisition. b. jonson. we met with little purchase upon this coast, except two small vessels of golconda. a beauty-waning and distressed widow made prize and purchase of his lustful eye.
6. that which is obtained for a price in money or its equivalent. "the scrip was complete evidence of his right in the purchase.".
7. any mechanical hold, or advantage, applied to the raising or removing of heavy bodies, as by a lever, a tackle, capstan, and the like; also, the apparatus, tackle, or device by which the advantage is gained. a politician, to do great things, looks for a power -- what our workmen call a purchase.
8. (law) acquisition of lands or tenements by other means than descent or inheritance, namely, by one's own act or agreement.purchase criminal, robbery. [obs.]purchase money, the money paid, or contracted to be paid, for anything bought.
9. To pursue and obtain; to acquire by seeking; to gain, obtain, or acquire.
10. To obtain by paying money or its equivalent; to buy for a price; as, to purchase land, or a house.
11. To obtain by any outlay, as of labor, danger, or sacrifice, etc.; as, to purchase favor with flattery.
12. To expiate by a fine or forfeit.
13. To acquire by any means except descent or inheritance.
14. To buy for a price.
15. To apply to a device for obtaining a mechanical advantage; to get a purchase upon, or apply a purchase to; as, to purchase a cannon.
16. To put forth effort to obtain anything; to strive; to exert one's self.
17. To acquire wealth or property.
18. The act of seeking, getting, or obtaining anything.
19. The act of seeking and acquiring property.
20. The acquisition of title to, or properly in, anything for a price; buying for money or its equivalent.
21. That which is obtained, got, or acquired, in any manner, honestly or dishonestly; property; possession; acquisition.
22. That which is obtained for a price in money or its equivalent.
23. Any mechanical hold, or advantage, applied to the raising or removing of heavy bodies, as by a lever, a tackle, capstan, and the like; also, the apparatus, tackle, or device by which the advantage is gained.
24. Acquisition of lands or tenements by other means than descent or inheritance, namely, by one's own act or agreement. the acquisition of something for payment; "they closed the purchase with a handshake" a means of exerting influence or gaining advantage; "he could get no purchase on the situation" something acquired by purchase.
25. 1. When you purchase something, you buy it. He purchased a ticket and went up on the top deck + purchaser purchasers pur·chas·er The broker will get 5% if he finds a purchaser = buyer.
26. The purchase of something is the act of buying it. Some of the receipts had been for the purchase of cars. see also:
hire purchase.
27. A purchase is something that you buy. She opened the tie box and looked at her purchase. It was silk, with maroon stripes.
28. If you get a purchase on something, you manage to get a firm grip on it. I got a purchase on the rope and pulled I couldn't get any purchase with the screwdriver on the damn screws. = grip. to buy something (purchacier , from chacier ). Alaska Purchase Gadsden Purchase Louisiana Purchase.