I. əˈdapt also aˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: French or Latin; French adapter, from Latin adaptare, from ad- + aptare to fit, from aptus fit — more at apt
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make suitable or fit (as for a particular use, purpose, or situation) : fit , suit
the toughness of the material adapts it for many uses
b. : to make suitable (for a new or different use or situation) by means of changes or modifications
he adapted the novel for the stage
adapt his instruction to meet individual needs — P.H.Furfey
2. : to adjust (oneself) to particular conditions or ways : bring (oneself) into harmony with a particular environment : acclimatize
I could adapt myself to the isolated life — Ella E. Clark
a given environment with organisms adapting themselves to it — A.N.Whitehead
intransitive verb
: to become adjusted ; specifically : to bring oneself or especially one's acts, behavior, or mental state into harmony with changed conditions or environment
man adapts socially to an increasingly complicated … culture — J.F.Brown
Synonyms:
adjust , accommodate , conform , reconcile : to adapt to something or to adapt one thing to another implies a suiting or fitting by alteration or modification
to see men only in terms of the geographical conditions to which they adapt themselves — Alfred Kazin
our plans must change in adapting to the new situations — Hugo Wall
the inside walls are all movable so that the interior can easily be adapted to meet new requirements — London Calling
To adjust to something or to adjust one thing to another usually suggests no significant alteration or modification but rather a bringing into a correspondence or harmony, prearranged or clearly possible but not quite achieved previously
the main problem confronting the child is not yet to adjust to a cultural milieu but primarily to adjust to the rapidly changing phases of his biological growth — Franz Alexander
accommodate often suggests the special or transient adaptation of one thing to another or of two things to each other, implying a significant difference overcome in a specially arranged, temporary, or expedient harmony
local building ordinances … had been adjusted to accommodate the new materials and methods — Current Biography
a water trough long enough to accommodate the noses of a barnful of thirsting cows — Monsanto Magazine
a school auditorium must accommodate a large variety of acoustic activities — Bulletin of American Institute of Architects
conform implies the achievement of harmony or correspondence by compliance as with a preexisting pattern, form, or principle, sometimes carrying the implication of slavish compliance
to ensure that all work done conforms to the highest standards — Ivor Bulmer-Thomas
certain lies are indulged in to conform to etiquette — D.C.Buchanan
unwilling to conform to American ways — Oscar Handlin
To reconcile one thing with another or to reconcile two things, in the sense pertinent to this comparison, is to persuade oneself or others of the fundamental congruity of things that are, or seem to be, incompatible or to adjust the two things so that they are compatible
reconcile opposing points of view
we can reconcile naturalism or, if you please, materialism with the piety which has distinguished genuinely spiritualistic views of life — M.R.Cohen
the critical judgment of those who are suspicious of “best sellers” and unwilling to reconcile excellence with public taste — College English
II. adjective
obsolete : fitted , suited