a|dopt

a|dopt «uh DOPT», transitive verb.

1. to take for your own or as your own choice: »

I liked your idea and adopted it. Few Americans would find it easy to adopt Japanese customs. Her [Greece's] whole culture has never ceased to adopt and to adapt alien elements (Atlantic).

SYNONYM(S): embrace, espouse.

2. to accept formally or officially; approve: »

The committee adopted the new rule by a vote of five to three.

SYNONYM(S): endorse.

3. a) to take (a child of other parents), as approved by law, and bring up as one's own child: »

The judge permitted the Browns to adopt the homeless orphan.

b) to take (anyone) voluntarily into any relationship (as heir, father, friend, or citizen): »

His nephew was his adopted heir.

4. to take (a word) from a foreign language into regular use without (intentionally) changing its form: »

In English we have adopted the German words “Gneiss,” “Hamburger,” “Hornblende,” and “Quartz.”

5. (in Great Britain) to accept as the candidate of a political party for election.

╂[< Latin adoptāre < ad- to + optāre choose]

–a|dopt´a|ble, adjective.

–a|dopt´er, noun.