2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Adopt  \A*dopt"\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Adopted};  p.  pr  &  vb  n. 
  {Adopting}.]  [L.  adoptare  ad  +  optare  to  choose  desire:  cf 
  F.  adopter.  See  {Option}.] 
  1.  To  take  by  choice  into  relationship,  as  child,  heir, 
  friend,  citizen,  etc.;  esp.  to  take  voluntarily  (a  child 
  of  other  parents)  to  be  in  the  place  of  or  as  one's  own 
  child. 
 
  2.  To  take  or  receive  as  one's  own  what  is  not  so  naturally; 
  to  select  and  take  or  approve;  as  to  adopt  the  view  or 
  policy  of  another;  these  resolutions  were  adopted. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  adopt 
  v  1:  choose  and  follow  as  of  theories,  ideas,  policies, 
  strategies  or  plans;  "She  followed  the  feminist 
  movement";  "The  candidate  espouses  Republican  ideals" 
  [syn:  {follow},  {espouse}] 
  2:  take  up  and  practice  as  one's  own  [syn:  {borrow},  {take  over}, 
  {take  up}] 
  3:  take  on  titles,  offices,  duties,  responsibilities;  "When 
  will  the  new  President  assume  office?"  [syn:  {assume},  {take 
  on},  {take  over}] 
  4:  take  on  a  certain  form  attribute,  or  aspect;  "His  voice 
  took  on  a  sad  tone";  "The  story  took  a  new  turn";  "he 
  adopted  an  air  of  superiority";  "She  assumed  strange 
  manners";  "The  gods  assume  human  or  animal  form  in  these 
  fables"  [syn:  {assume},  {acquire},  {take  on},  {take}] 
  5:  take  into  one's  family;  "They  adopted  two  children  from 
  Nicaragua"  [syn:  {take  in}] 
  6:  put  into  dramatic  form  "adopt  a  book  for  a  screenplay" 
  [syn:  {dramatize},  {dramatise}] 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
or search   thesauri dictionary search words