rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryadoptAcceptance or use
verb

adopt

uh-DAHPT/əˈdɑːpt/

To take someone or something as one's own.

The parents welcome the child they adopt at the courthouse.

Adults welcome their newly adopted child at a courthouse after signing adoption papers, respectful warm family scene.
Etymology
adLatinto, toward
+optLatinchoose, desire

The pieces express choosing someone for oneself. Latin already used the combined verb for taking a child into a family, the connection preserved in the English sense of legally becoming a child's parent.

In context

Westminster Seminary California1:38
in in their world they didn't adopt uh daughters really. That would be for the benefit of the daughter but not for the benefit of taking over the family in their structure.
What is Adoption?

More examples

  • The team adopts a simpler approach to the problem.
  • Her parents adopted her when she was an infant.
  • The council is adopting new rules for outdoor markets.

Forms

adopt · adopts · adopted · adopting

adoption noun — The act of taking someone or something as one's own.

adoptive adjective — Related through adoption rather than by birth.

Similar words

embrace
Suggests willing acceptance but not a legal parent-child relationship.
foster
Can mean caring for a child without becoming a legal parent.