ac·quire 
/əˈkwajɚ/ verb
ac·quires; ac·quired; ac·quir·ing /əˈkwajɚ/ verb [+ obj] 1 formal : to get (something) : to come to own (something)
▪ They're planning to acquire [=buy] a new home in the country. ▪ He acquired [=got, inherited] a small fortune after the death of her parents. ▪ The two ships were acquired by the navy after the war. ▪ The team acquired three new players this year. : to come to have (something) ▪ She dreamed of acquiring [=gaining, getting] control of the company. ▪ When I saw her next she had somehow managed to acquire a few cuts and bruises. [=she had a few cuts and bruises] ▪ The old word has acquired a new meaning. ▪ This apparently minor event has acquired increasing significance in recent weeks. 2 : to gain (a new skill, ability, etc.) usually by your own effort
▪ She quickly acquired [=gained] fluency in French. ▪ He is studying the way that language is acquired by children. ▪ acquire knowledge ▪ He has acquired a reputation as a careful/careless worker. [=people regard him as a careful/careless worker] ◊When people acquire a taste for something, they like something that they did not like before.
▪ Although he usually avoided unusual foods, he eventually began to acquire a taste for raw fish. ◊An acquired taste is something or someone that is not easily or immediately liked.
▪ Brussels sprouts are an acquired taste for many people. ▪ I admit that she is something of an acquired taste, but I think her art is wonderful.
▪ They're planning to acquire [=buy] a new home in the country. ▪ He acquired [=got, inherited] a small fortune after the death of her parents. ▪ The two ships were acquired by the navy after the war. ▪ The team acquired three new players this year. : to come to have (something) ▪ She dreamed of acquiring [=gaining, getting] control of the company. ▪ When I saw her next she had somehow managed to acquire a few cuts and bruises. [=she had a few cuts and bruises] ▪ The old word has acquired a new meaning. ▪ This apparently minor event has acquired increasing significance in recent weeks.
▪ She quickly acquired [=gained] fluency in French. ▪ He is studying the way that language is acquired by children. ▪ acquire knowledge ▪ He has acquired a reputation as a careful/careless worker. [=people regard him as a careful/careless worker] ◊When people acquire a taste for something, they like something that they did not like before.
▪ Although he usually avoided unusual foods, he eventually began to acquire a taste for raw fish. ◊An acquired taste is something or someone that is not easily or immediately liked.
▪ Brussels sprouts are an acquired taste for many people. ▪ I admit that she is something of an acquired taste, but I think her art is wonderful.
