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Glite Dictionary
🛠️ To get or develop 🎯 To locate
to acquire

to acquire

25 6.5
Start to find and track a moving object using radar
  • verb
  • /əˈkwaɪər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : localizar
  • Once the drone acquires the target, it will transmit the data back to the command center.
  • acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
  • acquired immunodeficiency
  • acquired infections

Examples

  • Target acquired, tone and lock, weapons free.

    Dune Drifter (2020)

  • We do not have long before the T-1000 acquires our position.

    Terminator Genisys (2015)

  • Facilities use the data to determine staff educational needs, monitor improvement processes, and track hospital-acquired pressure ulcer trends.

    Academic text (2013)

  • The radar system was able to acquire the aircraft as it entered the detection zone.

  • After several minutes, the satellite will acquire the moving ship and begin tracking its path.

Synonyms

to track
vsto acquire
∞ 2.3

To follow where a person or thing goes

locates and begins monitoring a moving object as the initial detection step
to capture
vsto acquire
884 2.8

To catch and take control of someone or something after a chase

locates and begins monitoring rather than seizing and taking control

Antonyms

to lose track
85 3.7

To not know where something is or what is happening

How Tracked

to track
∞ 2.3
to acquire
  • Specialized
25 6.5
to detect
763 3.2
to spot
576 2.1

Surface Forms

acquire infinitive
acquired past
acquired past participle
acquiring present participle
acquires third person singular

Etymology

Acquire comes from Latin parts ad- 'to' and quaerere 'seek' or 'ask'. In technical use, to acquire a target is to 'seek and get' it, so the radar or telescope finds the object and then follows it. You can see the same root in question, which also comes from 'ask'.