I. kōˈäpt, ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin cooptare, from co- + optare to choose — more at opine
1. : to choose or elect into a body or group as a fellow member
outside persons may be co-opted to committees — W.A.Robson
2.
a. : to appoint usually as a colleague
b. : to appoint or deputize summarily ; sometimes : preempt , commandeer
II. transitive verb
: to take in and make part of a group, movement, or culture : absorb
the students are co-opted by a system they serve even in their struggle against it — A.C.Danto
also : to take over : appropriate
many people now view television as a kind of virus, co-opting the healthy brain cells of our young — Robert Pattison