Adopt Definition

ə-dŏpt
adopted, adopting, adopts
verb
adopted, adopting, adopts
To take on the legal responsibilities as parent of (a child that is not one's biological child).
American Heritage
To choose and bring into a certain relationship.
Webster's New World
To take a child into one's family legally and raise as one's own.
Webster's New World
To become the owner or caretaker of (a pet, especially one from a shelter).
American Heritage
To take up and use (an idea, a practice, etc.) as one's own.
Webster's New World

Origin of Adopt

  • Middle English adopten from Old French adopter from Latin adoptāre ad- ad- optāre to choose

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle French adopter, from Latin adoptare; ad + optare (“to choose, desire”).

    From Wiktionary

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