# purchase

Pronunciation: say "PUR-chuhs" US /ˈpɝ.t͡ʃəs/, UK /ˈpɜː(ɹ).t͡ʃəs/

## Verb

1. To obtain something by paying a price for it in money or its equivalent.
   - Simple: To buy something by paying money for it.
   - _Buyers can purchase shares directly through the company's website._
   - _She purchased the antique clock at an estate sale._
6. Of money or another payment: to have the buying power to obtain something, or a given amount of it.
   - Simple: To be worth a certain amount when used to buy things.
   - _A few dollars purchase far more in rural markets than in the city._
   - _Today the same wage purchases only a fraction of what it once did._
8. To gain or win something through effort, hardship or sacrifice rather than money.
   - Simple: To get something by working hard or giving something up, not by paying money.
   - _He sought to purchase influence through years of loyal service._
   - _Bold deeds purchase a reputation that words alone cannot._

## Noun

2. The acquisition of ownership or title to something through payment of a price.
   - Simple: The act of buying something by paying for it.
   - _The purchase of the rival firm strengthened their market position._
   - _Careful budgeting precedes any major purchase in their household._
3. Something obtained by paying a price for it.
   - Simple: Something that you have bought.
   - _He unwrapped his latest purchase, a vintage camera._
   - _The store lets you return any purchase within thirty days._
4. A firm hold or grip that gives leverage, as for lifting or moving something heavy or for climbing.
   - Simple: A firm hold that helps you lift, move or climb something.
   - _The lever gave the workers enough purchase to shift the boulder._
   - _He searched for some purchase on the crate before heaving it onto the truck._
5. A degree of influence or a foothold that enables an idea or person to make an impact or win acceptance.
   - Simple: Power or influence that helps an idea or a person be accepted or have an effect.
   - _Conspiracy theories have gained purchase among people who already distrust official sources._
   - _As a newcomer, the senator struggled to find any purchase in the party's debates over the budget._

## Noun

7. In law, the acquisition of land or tenements by one's own act or agreement, as distinct from descent or inheritance. *(dated)*
   - Simple: Getting land or property through your own deal, not by inheriting it.
   - _Under the old law, title taken by purchase carried different duties than land received by descent._
   - _Old property records note whether each parcel was acquired by purchase or passed down by descent._
9. The process of going after something, such as property, and acquiring it. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: The act of looking for and getting something, like property.

## Other meanings

- (noun) The tackle or device (such as a pulley or block and tackle) by which mechanical advantage is gained; in nautical use, the ratio of advantage the device provides.
- (verb) To raise or move something by mechanical means, applying a lever, tackle, or similar device to gain advantage.
- (noun) The price paid for a house or estate, calculated as its annual rent or income multiplied over a stated number of years.
- (noun) Something obtained or acquired by any means, fair or foul; property, possession, or gains.
- (verb) To exert oneself or strive in order to obtain something.
- (verb) To atone for an offense by paying a fine or suffering a forfeit.

## Origin

From Middle English purchasen, from Anglo-Norman purchacer ("seek to obtain"), formed from pur- (from Latin pro-) plus chac(i)er ("to chase, pursue"). It is related to Old French porchacier ("to follow, to chase"), which gave French pourchasser.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/purchase (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).