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definitions

coopt

or co-opt

[koh-opt]
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verb (used with object)

to elect into a body by the votes of the existing members.
to assimilate, take, or win over into a larger or established group: The fledgling Labor party was coopted by the Socialist party.
to appropriate as one's own; preempt: The dissidents have coopted the title of her novel for their slogan.

Origin of coopt

From the Latin word cooptāre, dating back to 1645–55. See co-, opt
Related formsco·op·ta·tion, co-op·ta·tion, co·op·tion, co-op·tion [koh-op-shuh n] /koʊˈɒp ʃən/, nounco·op·ta·tive, co-op·ta·tive [koh-op-tuh-tiv] /koʊˈɒp tə tɪv/, co·op·tive, co-op·tive, adjective
Can be confusedco-op coop co-opt coupe
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for coopt

appoint, elect, name, want, cast, adopt, prefer, accept, favor, embrace, take, determine, judge, love, designate, homogenize, sort, desire, predestine, tap

Examples from the Web for coopt

Contemporary Examples of coopt

British Dictionary definitions for coopt

coopt

co-opt

verb (tr)

to add (someone) to a committee, board, etc, by the agreement of the existing members
to appoint summarily; commandeer
Derived Formscooption, co-option, cooptation or co-optation, nouncooptative or co-optative, adjective

Word Origin for coopt

C17: from Latin cooptāre to elect, from optāre to choose
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for coopt
v.

see co-opt.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper