Word Study
co-opt
CIDE DICTIONARY
co-opt, v. t. [See Coöptate. Cf. F. coopter.].
- To choose or elect in concert with another. [1913 Webster]"Each of the hundred was to coöpt three others." [1913 Webster]
- To choose or elect as a colleague or fellow member of a group; as, The church members co-opted individuals from similar backgrounds to replenish the congregation. [PJC]
- To assimilate (a smaller group) into a larger group. [PJC]
- To persuade an opponent to join one's own side. [PJC]
- To appoint summarily (with or without the appointee's consent). [WordNet 1.5]
- To appropriate (something rightly belonging to another) as one's own; to preempt; as, to co-opt someone's name. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
co-opt, v.tr. appoint to membership of a body by invitation of the existing members.
Derivative
co-optation n. co-option n. co-optive adj.
Etymology
L cooptare (as CO-, optare choose)
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