† procuren.
Obsolete. rare (Scottish in later use).
1. = procurement n. 1a.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > [noun] > incitement or instigation > by instrumentality of an agent
procurementa1325
procuringa1325
procuration?a1425
procure?a1475
the world > action or operation > advantage > usefulness > use (made of things) > instrumentality > [noun] > accomplishment of something by
procurementa1325
procuringa1325
procuration?a1425
procure?a1475
procurancy1533
procurance1559
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1874) V. 37 (MED) This Comodus..was sleyne in the place vestalle thro the procure and cause of his new wife [L. uxoris quoque suæ obscenitate damnatus].
1567 R. Sempill Test. & Trag. King Henrie (single sheet) Off Ancus Martius we reid the greit mischance,..Slaine be Lucinio at Tanaquillis procuire.
2. Scottish. = procuration n. 3.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > benefice > other financial matters > [noun] > payment made for specific purpose > to provide entertainment
procuracyc1300
procurationc1450
proxy1454
procure1522
1522 in J. Robertson & C. Innes Munimenta Univ. Glasguensis (1854) I. 57 Als the said Maister Gilbert..sall releif me..of tuenty four merkis money aucht..to the vicar pensionar of Colmonell and of the deynes visitatioun procure sinage taxtaris contributiounes and subseidis how oft thai happin.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
procurev.
/prəˈkjʊə/, /prəˈkjɔː/, U.S. /prəˈkjʊ(ə)r/, /proʊˈkjʊ(ə)r/ I. To obtain; to bring about.† 1. † 5. transitive. To try to induce or persuade; to urge, press. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To contrive or devise with care (an action or proceeding); to try to bring about, esp. to bring (usually something harmful) upon a person. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)] > attempt to effect
seekc1000
procurec1300
to stand for ——1531
drift1596
enround1606
the mind > will > intention > planning > plotting > plot (a purpose) or hatch (a plot [verb (transitive)]
compass1297
procurec1300
purchasec1300
contrivec1330
conspirec1384
brewc1386
awaitc1400
surmise1509
devisec1515
practise1531
machinate1537
forge1547
hatch1565
plot1589
pack1590
appost1602
feign1690
intrigue1747
scheme1767
c1300 St. Thomas Becket (Laud) 1258 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 142 (MED) A-morewe comen þis bischopes..To procuri seint thomas al þat vuel þat heo miȝten do.
c1330 Seven Sages (Auch.) (1933) 1067 (MED) He þe procurez..Al þe sschame þat he mai.
a1450–1509 (?a1300) Richard Coer de Lyon (A-version) (1913) 1738 (MED) I praye the, Syr Tanker kynge, Procure [v.r. prokir] me none evyll thynge!
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope v Ofte..the euyll whiche is procured to other cometh to hym whiche procureth it.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 667/1 I procure, I cause a thyng to be done, or I devyse meanes to bringe a thynge to passe, je procure.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie P 674 To Procure hatred or ill will to menne. Struere odium in aliquos.
1620 J. Wilkinson Treat. Statutes conc. Coroners & Sherifes (new ed.) 136 Yee shall reasonably and honestly procure the profit of the corporation of this Towne.
1678 G. Mackenzie Laws & Customes Scotl. (1678) i. viii. §5 71 The administrating drinks or medicaments to procure or increase love.
b. intransitive. To endeavour (also: to connive, conspire) to do something; to expend effort, strive for something, or unto an end; to use means, take measures. Also without construction. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > make an attempt or endeavour [verb (intransitive)]
fanda1225
procurea1325
assay1370
workc1384
to put oneself in pressc1390
purchasec1400
buskc1450
study1483
fend15..
try1534
enterprise1547
to make an attempt?c1550
to give the venture1589
prove1612
nixuriate1623
to lay out1659
essay1715
to bring (also carry, drive, etc.) one's pigs to market1771
to have (or take or give) a crack1836
to make an out1843
to go to market1870
to give it a burl1917
to have a bash (at)1950
a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) v. 8 Ant ȝif sirreues oþer coroners..withhelien, oþer consenten oþer procuren to withhelie þe felonies þat beth idon in hoere baillies, [etc.].
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) 5826 (MED) He þe gat & forþ þe broȝte; Thar-for ert þow mys-byþoȝte, To procury hym to slee.
a1450 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Lamb.) (1887) i. 7462 (MED) Þis ys þe comune sawe..Þat yuel endyng on þe schal falle; þus þey þrete..& ful yuel þey procure & purchace.
a1450 Generides (Pierpont Morgan) (1865) 9224 (MED) Whan that he in prison was..Lucas him goode spake and honoured And vnto his deliueraunce he procured.
a1450 Pater Noster Richard Ermyte (Westm. Sch. 3) (1967) 6 (MED) Þe feende of helle..procuriþ..to lette men & wiþdrawe hem fro alle þese goode dedis.
c1475 Antichrist & Disciples in J. H. Todd Three Treat. J. Wycklyffe (1851) p. cxxvii (MED) Crist fleed from secular lordschip & office; þei procuren fast to haue it.
1509 Parlyament Deuylles (de Worde) (ad fin.) Who that wyll for heuen procure, Kepe hym fro the deuylles combrement.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Pref. 3 To procure for the commodities and welth of Englande.
1561 T. Hoby tr. B. Castiglione Courtyer i. sig. D.iiv Suche a countenaunce as this is,..and not so softe and womanishe as manye procure to haue.
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias i. i. 3 Hee gaue them charge..that they shoulde procure to atteine to the sight of Presbiter Ioan.
1608 R. Johnson Seauen Champions ii. I iv b Rosana..did procure to defend her selfe and offend hir enemie.
c. transitive. To endeavour to get or do. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > attempt [verb (transitive)]
fandOE
assayc1300
tryc1315
provec1330
adventurea1387
sayc1390
paina1400
havec1400
practisea1450
afforcec1487
afond1488
attempta1538
procure1574
endeavour1581
offer1611
poacha1616
attent1620
to venture at1623
essay1641
attentate1656
smacka1657
tempt1697
to try at1794
to have a go1802
to make a (good, poor, etc.) fist1833
tackle1847
to have or take a whack at1891
to make (or have, etc.) a stab at (something)1895
to have a dash (at)1916
1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara Familiar Epist. 499 For women be of such qualitie, that they procure nothing [Sp. que ninguna cosa tanto procuran] so much as that which is most forbidden them.
2. † b. transitive. Law. To suborn, bribe (a witness, jury member, etc.). Obsolete.
a. transitive. To prevail upon, induce, persuade, get (a person) to do something. Now Criminal Law.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > persuade or prevail upon > to do something
procurea1325
draw1425
inducec1450
draw1531
obtain1558
reduce?a1560
weighc1571
charma1592
obtain1606
bias1660
gain1681
import1825
wangle1926
a1325 (?c1300) Northern Passion (Cambr. Gg.1.1) 989 (MED) For he þat procured him to falle, Þei schul ben condempned alle.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1882) VIII. 239 (MED) Innocencius, þe pope, procurede þe chesers of þe empere forto chese many.
a1425 (?c1384) J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 342 (MED) Clement left his office and procuride oþir to helpe him.
c1450 (c1350) Alexander & Dindimus (Bodl.) (1929) 347 Ne we agayn hem to do [read go] nol no gome procre.
a1500 (?c1378) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 444 (MED) Freris procuren comynly boþe lordis & bischops to lette þis preching.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 184 Pope Boniface being informed and procured by the Scottes, sent his letters vnto the king of England.
1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin ii. 97 The newes of the reuolt of Nauaro, procured the king..to make way.
1607 J. Pelling Serm. Providence of God Ep. Ded. sig. A3v Your Lordship..procured..the Lord Bishop of London..to require it of me.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1667 (1955) III. 495 These precious Monuments..I procured him to bestow on the Universite of Oxford.
1736 Hale's Placit. Coron. I. 615 An accessory before is he, that being absent at the time of the felony committed doth yet procure, counsel, command, or abet another to commit a felony.
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters ii. 144 The writer is influenced or procured to write for the one, against the other.
1811 J. Burnett Criminal Law 263–6 The causing and procuring to forge, is every day stated, and sustained in cases of Forgery... If that person, in consequence of his mandate, hires or procures in any way a third person to do it.
1828 S. Turner Hist. Anglo-Saxons (ed. 5) I. iii. x. 245 Charlemagne communicates to him [sc. Offa]..his success in procuring the continental Saxons to adopt Christianity.
1904 A. M. Anderson Criminal Law Scotl. (ed. 2) 74 By the Post-Office Act, attempt to procure another to commit a felony or misdemeanour under the Post-Office act is criminal.
1964 Mod. Law Rev. 28 iii. 274 If twenty full-time union officials procure workers to strike in breach of contract in furthering a trade dispute, Section 3[1] still protects them.
1992 New Law Jrnl. (Lexis) 19 June 870 A husband or cohabitee would be liable for assault if he raped his wife (as a first offence) but for rape if he procured another to do so.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > illegal payment or exaction > [verb (transitive)] > bribe > to give false evidence
procure1433
subornate1537
suborn1538
subordinate1583
1433 Rolls of Parl. IV. 476/1 The seid Town Clerk examen hem by here othes whether they..be procured to chese eny persone in especiall'.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie P 675 A witnesse procured with money, or bribes. Conflatus pecunia testis.
1620 J. Wilkinson Treat. Statutes conc. Coroners & Sherifes (new ed.) 44 Ye shall..make your pannels your selfe of such persons, as bee..not suspect, nor procured.
c. transitive. With adverbs of direction, esp. hither, thither. To induce or prevail upon (a person) to come to a particular place. Now archaic and rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > persuade or prevail upon > to do something > to come (back)
returna1460
procure1541
1541 in State Papers Henry VIII (1830) I. 663 We maye fyshe out of them, whither they were procured or sent hither by any maner of meanes.
1579 in Court Minutes Surrey & Kent Sewer Comm. (London County Council) (1909) 331 Dyuers warnynges & commaundementes haue bene geven to the saied Arnolde to procure him his saied Landlorde into the Courte.
1587 J. Hooker Chron. Ireland 131/2 in Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) II [They] agreed to cause Tirlough Lennough to procure in the Scots.
1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet iii. v. 67 What vnaccustomd cause procures her hither? View more context for this quotation
a1604 M. Hanmer Chron. Ireland 128 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) Neither were we procured hither to be idle, or to live deliciously.
1625 J. Shirley Love Tricks iv. ii Yonder is a pleasant arbour, procure him thither.
1908 W. Campbell Mordred iii. i, in Poet. Trag. 74 I command..that messengers be sent, on pain of death, to find Sir Gwaine and Sir Launcelot, that if they be not procured here within the present month, the messengers pay the penalty with their bodies.
3.
a. transitive. To acquire or obtain, esp. with care or effort; to gain, get possession of (now the usual sense). In early use also: †to secure the help of, to win (a person) over to one's side; to recruit (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > persuasion > persuade (a person) [verb (transitive)] > win over
procurec1325
to gain over1582
bribe1592
overwork1593
overwin1600
smooth1608
overpersuade1639
spirit1656
over-entreata1661
engage1699
to bring over1724
to draw over1734
conciliate1796
to carry over1855
the mind > possession > acquisition > obtain or acquire [verb (transitive)] > obtain or acquire in a certain way > by care or effort
begeteOE
findOE
bewinc1175
getc1175
conquerc1230
reachc1275
procurec1325
makec1350
fishc1374
catchc1384
furneya1400
attainc1405
tillc1440
to pick out1577
to get a gripe ofa1586
secure1743
raise1838
to get one's hooks on (also into)1926
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 11483 (MED) To þe forest of dene sir Ion wende þo & turnde aȝe sir simond & procurede oþer mo.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 355 Aluredus..ordeyned comyn scole at Oxenforde..and procrede [?a1475 anon. tr. causede to have] fredom and priveleges in many articles to þat citee.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 119 (MED) Mald in Bristow lettres fast sendes Bi messengers trowe, forto procore frendes.
c1450 J. Capgrave Life St. Augustine (1910) 50 (MED) He schuld neuyr procur no wyf to no man.
a1475 Sidrak & Bokkus (Lansd.) (Ph.D. diss., Univ. of Washington) (1965) 10914 (MED) If þou smyte on þe man..And he bygynne to fighte also, Þe deuel procureþ ȝou, boþe two.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 5 Hyt ys bettur..for a man being in gret poverty rather to procure some ryches then hye phylosophy.
1556 H. Machyn Diary (1848) 112 The sam day a woman for baldry and procuryng a chyld, she and the chyld beyng on the pelere; the wyche she was her chyld browth to hordome.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 256 To him selfe he procuiret the fame of all æquitie.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 2 This..procured to him great obloquie.
1645 J. Winthrop Declar. Former Passages 6 The English should withdraw their Garrison from Uncas, or they would take it as a breach of former covenants, & would procure as many Moquauks as the English should affront them with.
1681 W. Todd Let. 2 June in R. Law Eng. in W. Afr. (1997) I. 308 One of the chiefe men came a board to give the Captain an invitation ashoare and told us of much slaves they could procure in a little time for us.
1718 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 19 May (1965) I. 412 Things that tis very easy to procure lists of.
1776 Carlisle Mag. 7 Sept. 143 She endeavoured to procure employment as a needle-woman.
1792 H. H. Brackenridge Mod. Chivalry (1937) I. v. i. 108 The commissioners will doubtless be glad to see us, and procure from government an allowance for the treaty.
1866 Rural Amer. (Utica, N.Y.) 15 Dec. 371/3 Although it may not be profitable for each farmer to own a saw, yet two or more may join together, and get a saw in partnership, or one may procure a saw and do work for the neighborhood.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People iii. §4. 134 Books were difficult and sometimes even impossible to procure.
1909 Chatterbox 18/1 Most of the crews were ashore, procuring water and provisions, and it may be, plundering the island of whatever they could find.
1946 Ann. Reg. 1945 100 The difficulties of procuring American aid for Britain on acceptable terms.
1988 W. M. Clarke Secret Life Wilkie Collins v. 47 His father procured him a reader's ticket at the British Museum.
b. intransitive. To act as a procurer (procurer n. 5b) or procuress. Usually with for. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > prostitution > [verb (intransitive)] > procure or pimp
panderize1598
ruffianize1611
procurea1616
pimpa1640
bawd1647
bludge1937
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 321 How doth my deere Morsell, thy Mistris? Procures she still? View more context for this quotation
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) Procure,..is also taken in an ill Sense, for to act as a Pimp or Bawd.
1708 T. Baker Fine Lady's Airs iv. 47 When we're Young, fit to toy, Gay Delights we enjoy, And have Crouds of new Lovers wooing; When we're old and decay'd, We procure for the Trade, Still in ev'ry Age we are doing.
1745 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 30 Apr. (1932) (modernized text) III. 604 Juno..offers to procure for Æolus, by way of bribe.
1981 United Press Internat. Newswire (Nexis) 17 Dec. The complaint charges Mulholland with..attempting to procure for prostitution in connection with a July 31 incident in Vancouver, British Columbia.
2004 Independent (Nexis) 19 May He had been accustomed to travel round the ritziest of circuits with his mother, Violet—posing as a glamorous star couple (her unspoken role to use her pulling power to procure for him).
c. transitive. To obtain (a person, usually a woman) as a prostitute or illicit sexual partner for another person.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > prostitution > [verb (transitive)] > procure
palliardize1644
pimp1683
procure1891
1891 Daily News 26 Jan. 7/2 Charged..at the Lambeth Police-court, on Saturday, with that he did by false pretences procure E. A. H.
1958 R. K. Narayan Guide vii. 114 There was a group who wanted to assault me because I said I could not procure girls for them.
1978 K. J. Dover Greek Homosexuality iii. 157 The joke about ‘procuring’ pupils for philosophers.
2004 Daily Mail 21 July 37 Two of many local sex criminals who procured girls for their important ‘clients’.
4. † d. transitive. With infinitive as object. To manage (to do or be something). Obsolete.
a. transitive. To bring about, cause, or produce, esp. with care or effort; to cause to be done. Now archaic and rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (transitive)]
wieldeOE
timberc897
letc900
rearOE
doOE
i-wendeOE
workOE
makeOE
bringc1175
raisec1175
shapec1315
to owe (also have) a wold (also on wield)a1325
procurec1330
purchasec1330
causec1340
conform1377
performa1382
excite1398
induce1413
occasionate?c1450
occasionc1454
to bring about1480
gara1500
to bring to passc1513
encause1527
to work out1534
inferc1540
excitate?1549
import1550
ycause1563
frame1576
effect1581
to bring in1584
effectuatea1586
apport?1591
introduce1605
create1607
generate1607
cast1633
efficiate1639
conciliate1646
impetrate1647
state1654
accompass1668
to bring to bear1668
to bring on1671
effectivate1717
makee1719
superinduce1837
birth1913
c1330 (?a1300) Arthour & Merlin (Auch.) (1973) 1637 (MED) Þou hast procourd fro fer Þe ded of Moyne, þe riȝt air.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 215 (MED) Þe emperesse Eudoxia had i-procured [v.r. y-prokered] þe out puttyng [L. procuravit ejectionem] of Iohn.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 243 (MED) Offa..sente Alcuinus..to Charles, kyng of Fraunce, for to procure pees.
?a1425 (?c1350) Northern Passion (Rawl.) 716 (MED) Þou þis tresone procurd has.
?c1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (Paris) (1971) 117 (MED) Aboue alle þinges he schal procure good digestioun.
c1440 (a1349) R. Rolle Eng. Prose Treat. (1921) 12 All maner of wilfull pollusyone procurede one any maner agaynes kyndly oys.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 867 Erll off Stamffurd..tuk on hand, To procur pes be ony maner off cace.
1540 Act 32 Hen. VIII c. 9 §3 That no maner of personne..doo herafter unlaufully maineteyne or cause or procure any unlaufull mayntenance in any action.
a1555 J. Bradford in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) III. App. xxx. 84 It is we..that have sinned, and procured thy grievous Wrath upon us.
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey i. 66 A drinke called Coffa..which helpeth..digestion, and procureth alacrity.
1677 W. Harris tr. N. Lémery Course Chym. i. ix. 118 This preparation is esteemed good to procure Sweat.
1748 T. Smollett Roderick Random I. xii. 93 This second sneer, procured another laugh against him.
1783 S. Johnson Let. 12 Apr. (1994) IV. 122 If you could procure the revocation of this incapacitating edict.
1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. xxviii. 336 It is frequently necessary to procure alternate motion in pumps by means of wheelwork.
1861 E. O'Curry Lect. Manuscript Materials Anc. Irish Hist. 252 His uncle Cobhthach soon procured his death by means of a poisoned drink.
1914 E. von Arnim Pastor's Wife x. 105 She wished, unhappy girl, to enjoy the advantages and privileges of the forgiven state while continuing in the sin that had procured the forgiveness.
1992 Mind 101 61 To be motivated to procure this or that outcome is to have a certain goal, which is precisely, in our terminology, to be in a state with the telic direction of fit.
b. transitive. With that-clause as object. To arrange. Now archaic and rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > carrying out > execute, perform, or carry out [verb (transitive)] > achieve or effect
helpc1410
obtain?a1425
procurec1425
practise?a1439
upholdc1450
furnish1477
to bring about1480
to bring to passc1513
conduce1518
contrive1530
to make good1535
moyen1560
effect1581
effectuatea1586
to level out1606
operate1637
to carry offa1640
efficiate1639
work1761
engineer1831
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iv. 174 (MED) I haue do my cure With al my wit to helpen & procure Þat euery þing touching þe commovnte Perseuere myȝt in prosperite.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) lxviii. 12 Sum procurd that i sould dye.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Aiv He is mynded to procure that he maye be sent thether.
1654 tr. M. Martini Bellum Tartaricum 226 I will procure all Europe shall understand the Issue of these prodigious revolutions.
1711 Medley No. 40 They procur'd that Mony shou'd be lent at 5 per Cent.
1894 R. Bridges Feast of Bacchus i. 301 Could you procure that I should speak with her?
1910 Encycl. Brit. V. 134/2 Wolsey..procured that he himself should be joined to the legation as senior legate.
1996 Ann. Rep. Gen. Council of Bar 1995 19/2 In particular the Bar Council is invited..(b) to procure that the regulations governing applications for re-call of ex-barristers who have voluntarily disbarred clearly set out the criteria for determination of such applications.
c. transitive. To cause or get (a person or thing) to be treated in a specified way. Now chiefly Law.
ΘΚΠ
the world > existence and causation > causation > [verb (transitive)] > cause to do or cause to act > cause to be done (to someone or something)
haveOE
to gar makec1330
gara1375
procurec1450
get?a1513
c1450 Form Excommun. (Douce 60) in G. Kristensson John Mirk's Instr. Parish Priests (1974) 104 (MED) We accorsen..al þat vnrightfully defameth eny person or prokereth to be famed.
1469 in W. P. Ellis & H. E. Salter Liber Albus Civitatis Oxoniensis (1909) 79 (MED) To this my..laste will I put to my seale..And..the seale of the office of the Mayralte of the towne of Oxford to this my present testament have procured to be putt to.
1509 Bp. J. Fisher Wks. (1876) 297 It is not vnknowen how studyously she procured Iustyce to be admynystred.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 7v Procuring him to be sent in embassage.
1661 F. Bacon Civil Char. Julius Cæsar in Resuscitatio (ed. 2) 284 He procured to be enacted no wholsom Lawes.
c1669 Life M. Rawdon (Camden) 12 Hir father, and hir entended husband the Barron..procured the gates of the cittie to be shutt up and garded, till they had made search in all inns and other likely places for hir.
1724 A. Collins Disc. Grounds Christian Relig. 34 They procur'd him to be crucify'd.
1795 W. Paley View Evidences Christianity (ed. 3) II. ii. ix. 228 [Nero] procured the Christians to be accused.
1866 W. D. Howells Venetian Life v. 68 An ingenious lover procured his..rival to be arrested for lunacy.
1897 Times Law Rep. 13 570/1 The Globe Company shall underwrite, or procure to be underwritten,..the first issue of 250,000 shares.
1920 Times 16 July 18/3 (advt.) Shares will not be allotted by way of original issue, but the Company will procure them to be transferred to the applicants free of cost.
1952 Times 30 May 3/5 [They] pleaded..Not Guilty to causing or procuring that boy to be ill-treated.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > succeed or be a success [verb (intransitive)] > achieve success (of persons) > succeed in doing anything
wina1300
covera1375
gaina1375
to prevail to1474
to make shift of1504
attain1523
obtaina1529
frame1545
procure1559
to finish to1594
succeed1839
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Tiptoft f. lxvv Eyther I must procure to se them dead, Or for contempt as a traytour lose my head.
1587 A. Fleming et al. Holinshed's Chron. (new ed.) III. Contin. 1378/2 Sir Roger Manwood..procured to passe another act of parlement,..wherein is further prouision made for the said bridge.
1678 R. Barclay Apol. True Christian Divinity ii. iii. 25 Men..have procured to be esteemed as Masters of Christianity, by certain Artificial Tricks.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate > try to persuade
stirc1380
pressc1440
fanda1500
attempta1547
invite1548
procure1551
to threap (something) upon1571
to set upon ——1652
flog1793
1551 King Edward VI Let. Sir B. Fitz-Patrick 20 Dec. in Lit. Rem. (Roxb.) I. 69 If yow be vehemently procured yow may goe as waiting on the king.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 219 b Where did he euer shake of the obedience of due allegeaunce? or procured any Subjectes to rebellion agaynst their Gouernours?
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. i. sig. Bb5 The famous Briton Prince and Faery Knight,..Of the faire Alma greatly were procur'd, To make there lenger soiourne and abode.
6.
a. transitive. To plead or petition for; to solicit. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).Also with infinitive as object.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > request or ask for [verb (transitive)] > petition
procurea1387
motion1476
solicit1530
supplication1593
supplicate1601
petition1607
petitionate1624
move1633
address1698
bill1722
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 495 (MED) Suche delievrance was i-procured and i-ordeyned, þat þe kyng schulde be restored aȝen to þe kyngdom and þe eorle to his lordschepe..but þe eorle wolde nouȝt assente.
a1500 tr. A. Chartier Traité de l'Esperance (Rawl.) (1974) 122 (MED) The seconde [petition] procureth remission of fautes passed.
a1573 W. Lauder Minor Poems (1870) ii. 90 Quhairfore, lat euerie creature The mercyis of grit God procure.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 209 The Britanis fell in ciuil discorde burning hett procuiring helpe of the Romanis contrare the Peychtes and Scottis bot in vane, for thay grant thame na helpe.
b. transitive and intransitive. Scottish. To collect or solicit (alms or offerings). Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1499 (c1580) in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1869) I. 79 And for helping of the pure bedrentis to thair sustentatioun ilk nychtbour..sall pas his day about in the toun and procure almois to thame,..and quha that refusses to pas and procuris nocht the almois sall pay [etc.].
1518 Edinb. Hammermen f. 97v, in Dict. Older Sc. Tongue at Procur(e Gevin in wyn to thaim at procurit on Sanct Loyis day xij d.
1521 in A. Maxwell Old Dundee (1891) 23 That the bred sall gang to procure offerings to Sanct Thomas.
1554–5 in J. D. Marwick Extracts Rec. Burgh Edinb. (1871) 211 Doctour Smyth..wes ane of the gild seriandis and procurit to the bedderrellis of Sanct Mary Wynd.
1587–8 Rec. Perth Kirk Session in A. J. Mill Mediæv. Plays (1927) 281 Also giff ony off the said craft be found to procwir for siclyke offending [sc. a folk play] heireftir thai sall [etc.].
c. intransitive. Chiefly Scottish. To plead, beg; to petition. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > request > make a request [verb (intransitive)] > make or present a petition
to put (up) a billa1387
procurea1500
move1638
pray1754
memorial1764
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 296 (MED) It is goode þat I procour for pese, þat I may haue rest of him.
1563 N. Winȝet Certain Tractates (1888) I. 57 For in defence of that thing only procuir I, quhilk..the haill Kirk of God..maist clerlie appreuis.
1568 R. Norvall in G. A. Panton & J. B. Murdoch Bannatyne MS. (1896) II. 51 Thairfoir to God for grace procure: He that wold leif most lerne to dy.
a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. ii. xxiii. 351 The king..procurit for his lyfe at the bischopis handis.
a1615 Balnagown MS in W. R. Baillie Breve Cron. Earlis of Ross (1850) 13 He procurit to him, by nature inclynit to follow such counsel, to mak war in his favour.
a1650 D. Calderwood Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1842) I. 224 The Erle of Angus and his brother Sir George..procured for the Abbacie of Arbrothe and a graunt therof was made.
7. intransitive. To act as a procurator or legal agent. Also (in quot. 1529): to act through a proctor or attorney. Obsolete (Scottish in later use).
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal profession > practice law [verb (intransitive)] > act as solicitor
procurea1425
solicit1596
a1425 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1869) I. 383 (MED) Many trewe men, boþe aprentis and avocatis, wolen no procure in a cause bifore þat þei heeren it.
1528 T. Wolsey in State Papers Henry VIII (1830) I. 291 What promysse I demaunded of the said Emperours Ambassadour, who said he wolde procure for restitution.
1529 in J. Strype Memorials T. Cranmer (1694) App. xviii.36 There should be as many..admitted to procure there as shuld be seen convenient to my said Lord of Canterbury.
?1536 ( Jack Upland 346 in W. W. Skeat Chaucerian & Other Pieces (1897) 201 The wysest and gretest clerkes of you wende or sende or procure to the court of Rome, to be mad cardinales or bishoppes.
1539 Sc. Acts Jas. V (1814) II. 353/2 Ane writing subscriuit be þe kingis grace..chargeing him & certane vþeris his collegis to procure for þe said James.
1600 in R. Pitcairn Criminal Trials Scotl. (1833) II. 131 Ansueris the preloquutouris, that the partie may procuir for him selff.
a1634 J. Forbes Certaine Rec. in Apol. Narration Kirk of Scotl. (1846) 465 To be in readines to procuir for them.
8. transitive. To take care of; to look after; spec. to treat medically. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > care for, protect, or have charge of [verb (transitive)] > take care of or look after
yknowOE
knowlOE
to care forc1230
bihedec1250
beseec1300
to look to ——c1300
seea1325
await1393
observea1425
procurea1425
to look after ——1487
to take (also have) regard to (or of)a1500
regard1526
to see after ——1544
to look unto ——1545
attendc1572
to take care of1579
curea1618
tend1631
to look over ——1670
a1425 Medulla Gram. (Stonyhurst) f. 1v Acturatus [read Accuratus], bisilich iprocured.
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 2v (MED) William de Saliceto &..Lamfranc..procured al wondes with vnguentz & with swete emplasteres.
c1475 tr. Henri de Mondeville Surgery (Wellcome) f. 155v (MED) Þat þat is greet and superflue schal be..cauterizid wiþ gold hette & procurid wiþ fatnesse of a doke vnto þe escar falle.
a1500 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Nero) vi. l. 357 Bot þe possessoure to procure [a1550 Wemyss trete]..wiþe honoure, And habundance of reches.
a1530 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Royal) viii. xxiv. 3648 Our Kynge Dauid was sende in Frawns, Qwhar he..was..procuryt [v.r. tretit] in al esse ilk deil.
9. transitive (in passive). To be advanced; to be well developed. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
1490 W. Caxton tr. Eneydos xiii. 47 In her thoughte the wounde of ambycyouse desyre..is so procured that she can not hyde it noo lenger.
10. intransitive. To proceed, advance. Obsolete. rare.
ΚΠ
1573 T. Tusser Points Huswifrie (new ed.) f. 25, in Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) His hatred procureth from naughty to wurse His friendship, like Iudas, that carried the purse.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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n.?a1475
v.c1300