co-opt

co–opt

verb \kō-ˈäpt\

Definition of CO-OPT

transitive verb

1

a : to choose or elect as a member b : to appoint as a colleague or assistant

2

a : to take into a group (as a faction, movement, or culture) : absorb, assimilate <the students are co–opted by a system they serve even in their struggle against it — A. C. Danto> b : take over, appropriate <a style co–opted by advertisers>

— co–op·ta·tion \ˌkō-ˌäp-ˈtā-shən\ noun

— co–op·ta·tive \kō-ˈäp-tə-tiv\ adjective

— co–op·tion \-ˈäp-shən\ noun

— co–op·tive \-ˈäp-tiv\ adjective

Origin of CO-OPT

Latin cooptare, from co- + optare to choose

First Known Use: 1651

Related to CO-OPT

Synonyms: absorb, assimilate, co-opt, incorporate, integrate

Related Words: amalgamate, blend, combine, commingle, fuse, intermingle, merge, mingle; acculturate, accustom, condition, enculturate, habituate, naturalize

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