Main Entry: adopt

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈdäpt\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French adopter, from Latin adoptare, from ad- + optare to choose

Date: 1500

transitive verb 1 : to take by choice into a relationship; especially : to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one's own child
2 : to take up and practice or use <adopted a moderate tone>
3 : to accept formally and put into effect <adopt a constitutional amendment>
4 : to choose (a textbook) for required study in a courseintransitive verb 1 : to adopt a child <couples choosing to adopt>
2 : to sponsor the care and maintenance of <adopt a highway>

— adopt·abil·i·ty \-ˌdäp-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— adopt·able \-ˈdäp-tə-bəl\ adjective

— adopt·er noun

synonyms adopt, embrace, espouse mean to take an opinion, policy, or practice as one's own. adopt implies accepting something created by another or foreign to one's nature <forced to adopt new policies>. embrace implies a ready or happy acceptance <embraced the customs of their new homeland>. espouse adds an implication of close attachment to a cause and a sharing of its fortunes <espoused the cause of women's rights>.