First Known Use: 1651
Dictionary
co–opt
verb \kō-ˈäpt\
: to cause or force (someone or something) to become part of your group, movement, etc.
: to use or take control of (something) for your own purposes
Full Definition of CO-OPT
transitive verb
1
a : to choose or elect as a member b : to appoint as a colleague or assistant
2
a : to take into a group (as a faction, movement, or culture) : absorb, assimilate <the students are co–opted by a system they serve even in their struggle against it — A. C. Danto> b : take over, appropriate <a style co–opted by advertisers>
— co–op·ta·tion \ˌkō-ˌäp-ˈtā-shən\ noun
— co–op·ta·tive \kō-ˈäp-tə-tiv\ adjective
— co–op·tion \-ˈäp-shən\ noun
— co–op·tive \-ˈäp-tiv\ adjective
See co–opt defined for English-language learners
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Origin of CO-OPT
Latin cooptare, from co- + optare to choose
Related to CO-OPT
- Synonyms
- absorb, assimilate, co-opt, incorporate, integrate
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