Pronunciation: k ō - ' äpt
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Latin cooptare, from co- + optare to choose
Date: 1651
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-opt ed by a system they serve even in their struggle against it ― A. C. Danto> b : TAKE OVER , APPROPRIATE <a style co-opt ed by advertisers>
– co-op · ta · tion \ ˌ k ō - ˌ äp- ' t ā -sh ə n \ noun
– co-op · ta · tive \ k ō - ' äp-t ə -tiv \ adjective
– co-op · tion \ - ' äp-sh ə n \ noun
– co-op · tive \ - ' äp-tiv \ adjective