Definition of co–opt
transitive verb
1a : to choose or elect as a member members co-opted to the committeeb : to appoint as a colleague or assistant
2a : to take into a group (such 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. Dantob : take over, appropriate a style co–opted by advertisers
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Origin and Etymology of co–opt
Latin cooptare, from co- + optare to choose
First Known Use: 1651
CO–OPT Defined for English Language Learners
co–opt
playDefinition of co–opt for English Language Learners
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: to cause or force (someone or something) to become part of your group, movement, etc.
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: to use or take control of (something) for your own purposes
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See words that rhyme with co–opt Spanish Central: Translation of co–opt
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