Adopt
[ə'dɒpt] or [ə'dɑpt]
Definition
(verb.) take into one's family; 'They adopted two children from Nicaragua'.
(verb.) take up and practice as one's own.
(verb.) choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans; 'She followed the feminist movement'; 'The candidate espouses Republican ideals'.
Typed by Ethan--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) 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.
(v. t.) 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.
Inputed by Jeanine
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Appropriate, take to one's self, take or select as one's own.[2]. Approve, espouse, support, maintain.[3]. Affiliate, father, treat as one's own child.
Inputed by Diego
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Assume, select, affiliate, take, elect, arrogate, choose, endorse, avow,appropriate
ANT:Reject, decline, repudiate, disavow, discard, renounce, abandon, disown,disclaim
Typed by Borg
Definition
v.t. to choose: to take up or embrace: to take into any relationship: to take as one's own what is another's as a child &c.—ns. Adop′tianism an 8th-century heresy akin to Nestorianism that Christ in respect of his divine nature was doubtless the Son of God; but that as to his human nature he was only declared and adopted to be the first-born Son of God; Adop′tion the act of adopting: the state of being adopted: assumption: the taking into one language of words from another: formal acceptance: choice: (theol.) an act of divine grace by which the redeemed in Christ are admitted to the privileges of the sons of God.—adjs. Adop′tious (Shak.) adopted; Adopt′ive that adopts or is adopted.
Inputed by Huntington
Examples
- The early official history of the Royal Society (Sprat, 1667) says that this proposal hastened very much the adopt ion of a plan of organization. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- He became cheerful, as he thought of this, and soberly and resolutely marked out the line of conduct he would adopt. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- As was to be expected, the card index and electrically operated features caused thousands of concerns, large and small, to adopt the addressograph. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- The error is in implying that we must adopt measures of subordination rather than of utilization to secure efficiency. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- She is a nice plump young lass, and it is customary with me to adopt that manner of showing that I personally approve of a girl. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- He found the English artisans of that time great guzzlers of beer, and influenced some of his co-workers to adopt his ow n more abstinent and hygienic habits of eating and drinking. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Resignation is sublime--adopt it. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- The system of filling adopted consists of a culvert in each side wall feeding laterals from which are openings upward into the lock chamber. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Our first crude patent law was enacted in 1790, but not until 1836 was the present system adopted. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- These fundamental principles have since been adopted and incorporated in their laws by all the nations of the earth. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- In the Mannlicher gun, adopted by the German army, the clip which holds the cartridges is itself inserted into the magazine, along with the cartridges. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- A more satisfactory arrangement to both sides could not possibly have been adopted. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- That is to say,' she explained, 'they have told me they mean to portion me as their adopted child, if you mean that. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Before it was in this final, completed shape, it was adopted by the _London Times_. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- This feature he afterward abandoned, adopting the single knife, described by him as an alternative. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- I mentioned the suggestion to Mr. Bruff and Betteredge--who both approved of my adopting it. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- She has gone through life, accepting everybody's help, and adopting everybody's opinions. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- V, adopting purely and simply the arrangement of the American, Langley, which offers a good stability. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- All idea of adopting this latter plan was abandoned when the limited quantity of supplies possible to take with us was considered. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- In adopting such a manner, you can seldom expect to please your hearers, or obtain the concurrence you desire. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- But this could be done only by adopting, or, at least, by favouring the tenets of that particular sect. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- Palladius adopts the opinion of Columella, which had before been recommended by Varro. Adam Smith. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
- I then treated the result thus obtained, on something like the principle which one adopts in putting together a child's 'puzzle. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
Editor: Rhoda