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co-optation - 2 dictionary results

co⋅opt

[koh-opt]
–verb (used with object)
1. to elect into a body by the votes of the existing members.
2. to assimilate, take, or win over into a larger or established group: The fledgling Labor party was coopted by the Socialist party.
3. to appropriate as one's own; preempt: The dissidents have coopted the title of her novel for their slogan.
Also, co-opt.


Origin:
1645–55; < L cooptāre. See co-, opt


co⋅op⋅ta⋅tion, co-op⋅ta⋅tion, co⋅op⋅tion, co-option [koh-op-shuhn] , noun
co⋅op⋅ta⋅tive, co-op⋅ta⋅tive [koh-op-tuh-tiv] , co⋅op⋅tive, co-optive, adjective
co-opt   (kō-ŏpt', kō'ŏpt')   
tr.v.   co-opt·ed, co-opt·ing, co-opts
  1. To elect as a fellow member of a group.
  2. To appoint summarily.
  3. To take or assume for one's own use; appropriate: co-opted the criticism by embracing it.
  4. To neutralize or win over (an independent minority, for example) through assimilation into an established group or culture: co-opt rebels by giving them positions of authority.

[Latin cooptāre : co-, co- + optāre, to choose.]
co'-op·ta'tion n., co-op'ta·tive (-tə-tĭv) adj., co-op'tion (-ŏp'shən) n., co-op'tive adj.
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