adopted
UK: əˈdɒptɪd | US: əˈdɑːptɪd
adj. legally taken into a family as one’s own child
vt. (past tense of adopt) chose to take up or follow (an idea, method, etc.)
The word adopted derives from Latin adoptare (ad- "to" + optare "choose"), meaning "to choose for oneself." The morpheme adopt retains the core idea of voluntary selection, while -ed marks it as a past action or state. Historically, it first applied to legal familial relationships (15th century) before extending to abstract choices (e.g., policies, styles). The spelling preserves the Latin ad- prefix, avoiding assimilation (aopt-), emphasizing intentionality.
They adopted a child from overseas last year.
The committee adopted the new policy unanimously.
She felt grateful for her adopted family’s support.
Many countries have adopted renewable energy targets.
The slang term was quickly adopted by younger generations.