obtend

Verb

obtend (third-person singular simple present obtends, present participle obtending, simple past and past participle obtended)

1. (obsolete) To oppose; to hold out in opposition.
   • Secondly, Whereas he so importunately obtends the style of the letter, as so demonstratively characteristicall of the Au∣thor the truth is that heretofore I have been somewhat conversant in the books and wri∣tings of this Author1658, John Goodwin, Triumvuri
   • ’Twas giv’n to you, your darling son to shroud,
     To draw the dastard from the fighting crowd,
     And, for a man, obtend an empty cloud.1697, Virgil, “The Tenth Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC
2. (obsolete) To offer as the reason for something; to pretend.
   • We rendred another reason (which we have the cleare testimony of our consciences for, was the true reason why we left them out) and that which you obtend no reason at all) yet as though you did communicate with God, in his incommunicable excellency1646, Samuel Eaaton, The defence of sundry positions & scriptures for the Congregational-way justified […]
   • Be mindful of yourselves, draw forth your swords,//And to his shafts obtend these ample boards1725–1726, Homer, “(please specify the book or chapter of the Odyssey)”, in [William Broome, Elijah Fenton, Alexander Pope], transl., The Odyssey of Homer. […], London: […] Bernard Lintot, →OCLC