adopt English · revision 7037

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1500|origins=la adopto}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈdɒpt/ ''(UK)''; /əˈdɑpt/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English adopten, [[bor|frm|adopter]] and directly [[bor|la|adopto|alt=adoptāre|t=to choose for oneself; to adopt as a child]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002) from [[m|la|ad|t=to]] and [[m|la|opto|alt=optāre|t=to choose, wish]] (see [[opt]]).^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) It may also be a back-formation from [[adoption]], which is older (14th century).^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To take to oneself, make one's own by choice: about 1500 in Etymonline, the late 15th century in SOED;^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) to take into any relationship, 1548 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To take legally as one's own child and to embrace a practice or method are both from about 1600 (1604 in the OED).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In Britain, of a local authority, to take over responsibility for a road is from 1862,^(OED 1989) and to choose a candidate for election from 1879.^(OED 1989) To take up the cause of a political prisoner is from 1961.^(OED 1989) To take on a pet, or to sponsor an animal, is a later sense.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1500 – to take as one's own.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1548 – to take into a relationship.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1604 – to adopt a child.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1862 – of a road, to take over.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1879 – to choose a candidate.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To take another's child legally into one's family and raise it as one's own.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To take up and follow a course, method or [[attitude]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To formally approve or accept, as a [[motion]] or report.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To choose as a candidate.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[adoptable]]

+ * [[adopter]]

+ * [[adoption]]

+ * [[adoptability]]

+ * [[preadopt]]

+ * [[readopt]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[adoptee]]

+ * [[adoptive]]

+ * [[opt]]

+ * [[option]]

+ * [[co-opt]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}