a·dopt
(ə-dŏpt́)
[Middle English adopten, from Old French adopter, from Latin adoptāre, ad-, ad-, + optāre, to choose.]
transitive verb: a·dopt·ed, a·dopt·ing, a·dopts.
- To take into one's family through legal means and raise as one's own child.
- To take and follow (a course of action, for example) by choice or assent: adopt a new technique.
- To take up and make one's own: adopt a new idea.
- To take on or assume: adopted an air of importance.
- To vote to accept: adopt a resolution.
- To choose as standard or required in a course: adopt a new line of English textbooks.
derivatives
- a·dopt́a·biĺi·ty
- noun
- a·dopt́a·ble
- adjective
- a·dopt́er
- noun
- a·doṕtion
- noun
usage note
Usage Note: Children are adopted by parents, and one normally refers to an adopted child but to adoptive parents, families, and homes. When describing places, one can use either adopted or adoptive: She enjoys living in her adopted country. Detroit is their adoptive city.
