Main Entry: co–opt

Pronunciation: \kō-ˈäpt\

Function: transitive verb

Etymology: Latin cooptare, from co- + optare to choose

Date: 1651

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