Adopter

a·dopt  (-dpt)

tr.v. a·dopt·ed, a·dopt·ing, a·dopts

1. To take into one's family through legal means and raise as one's own child.

2.

a. To take and follow (a course of action, for example) by choice or assent: adopt a new technique.

b. To take up and make one's own: adopt a new idea.

3. To take on or assume: adopted an air of importance.

4. To vote to accept: adopt a resolution.

5. To choose as standard or required in a course: adopt a new line of English textbooks.

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[Middle English adopten, from Old French adopter, from Latin adoptre : ad-, ad- + optre, to choose.]

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a·dopta·bili·ty n.

a·dopta·ble adj.

a·dopter n.

a·doption n.

Usage Note: Children are adopted by parents, and one normally refers to an adopted child but to adoptive parents, families, and homes. When describing places, one can use either adopted or adoptive: She enjoys living in her adopted country. Detroit is their adoptive city.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

adopter - a person who adopts a child of other parents as his or her own child adoptive parent parent - a father or mother; one who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays the role of guardian