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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | adopter, from Latin adoptare, from ad- 'to' + optare 'to choose' |
Related topics:
1 to take someone else's child into your home and legally become its parent [↪ foster (11)]: 
Sally was adopted when she was four.The couple are unable to have children of their own, but hope to adopt.
child
[intransitive and transitive]Sally was adopted when she was four.The couple are unable to have children of their own, but hope to adopt.2 to start to deal with or think about something in a particular way : The courts were asked to adopt a more flexible approach to young offenders. The store recently adopted a drug testing policy for all new employees. California has adopted a tough stance on the issue.
adopt an approach/policy/attitude etc
[transitive]The courts were asked to adopt a more flexible approach to young offenders.The store recently adopted a drug testing policy for all new employees.California has adopted a tough stance on the issue.3 to use a particular style of speaking, writing, or behaving, especially one that you do not usually use : Kim adopts a southern accent when speaking to family back home.
style/manner
[transitive]Kim adopts a southern accent when speaking to family back home.4 to formally approve a proposal, amendment etc, especially by voting : Congress finally adopted the law after a two-year debate.
law/rule
[transitive]Congress finally adopted the law after a two-year debate.5 to choose a new name, country, custom etc, especially to replace a previous one : Stevens became a Muslim and adopted the name Yusuf Islam. Becoming a member of a society means adopting its values.
name/country etc
[transitive]Stevens became a Muslim and adopted the name Yusuf Islam.Becoming a member of a society means adopting its values.6 to officially choose someone to represent a political party in an election
election
British EnglishPPV [transitive] —adopter noun [countable]
—adoptee
noun [countable]
noun [countable]
