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REFERENCE

purchase

v. · n.
US //ˈpɝtʃəs// UK //pˈɜːtʃɪs// pur·chase
  1. 1 to buy (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Formal

    to buy something, usually in a formal or business situation.

    to acquire property or goods by payment of money or its equivalent. Transitive; often preferred in commercial or legal registers over 'buy'.

    Example

    The company decided to purchase new computers for all the staff.

    Example

    The corporation intends to purchase the remaining shares of the subsidiary to gain full control over its operations.
  2. 2 the act of buying (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Formal

    the act of buying something, or the thing that you have bought.

    the acquisition of title to or property in anything for a price; also refers to the object acquired.

    Example

    Please keep your receipt as proof of purchase.

    Example

    The consumer was dissatisfied with her recent purchase and requested a full refund due to the product's technical defects.
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  1. 3 a firm grip (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    a firm hold or grip on a surface that stops you from slipping.

    a mechanical hold or advantage applied to the moving of heavy bodies; a firm foothold or grasp.

    Example

    The climber struggled to get a good purchase on the wet rock.

    Example

    The tires failed to find sufficient purchase on the icy incline, causing the vehicle to slide backward despite the driver's efforts.
  2. 4 legal acquisition (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Formal Technical Law

    getting land or property in a way other than inheriting it.

    the acquisition of real estate by means other than descent or inheritance, such as by contract or agreement.

    Example

    The family acquired the estate by purchase rather than through their ancestors.

    Example

    In property law, title by purchase includes any method of acquisition other than the operation of law through hereditary succession.
Origin

From Middle English purchasen, from Anglo-Norman purchacer (“seek to obtain”) from pur- (from Latin pro-) + chac(i)er (“to chase, pursue”). Compare Old French porchacier (“to follow, to chase”), which has given French pourchasser (“to chase without relent”).

Word family

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