coopt

or co-opt

[koh-opt]

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. 2018

Related Words for coopted

homogenize, incorporate, convert, elect, enfold, absorb, adopt, accept, admit, embrace, encompass, include, homologize

British Dictionary definitions for coopted

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 coopted

coopt

see co-opt.