Definition of Co-opt

1. Verb. Choose or elect as a fellow member or colleague. "The church members co-opted individuals from similar backgrounds to replenish the congregation"

Generic synonyms: Elect
Derivative terms: Co-optation, Co-option

2. Verb. Neutralize or win over through assimilation into an established group. "We co-opted the independent minority tribes by pulling them into the Northern Alliance"
Generic synonyms: Neutralize

3. Verb. Appoint summarily or commandeer. "The army tried to co-opt peasants into civil defence groups"
Generic synonyms: Appoint, Constitute, Name, Nominate
Derivative terms: Co-optation, Co-option

4. Verb. Take or assume for one's own use. "He co-opted the criticism and embraced it"
Generic synonyms: Accept, Take

Definition of Co-opt

1. Verb. To elect as a fellow member of a group, such as a committee. ¹

2. Verb. To commandeer, appropriate or take over. ¹

3. Verb. To absorb or assimilate into an established group. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Co-opt

co-occurred
co-occurrence
co-occurrences
co-occurring
co-occurs
co-op
co-operate
co-operated
co-operates
co-operating
co-operation
co-operative
co-operatively
co-opetition
co-ops
co-opt (current term)
co-optation
co-opted
co-opting
co-option
co-options
co-opts
co-ordinate
co-ordinated
co-ordinates
co-ordinating
co-ordination
co-ordinational
co-ordinator
co-ordinators

Literary usage of Co-opt

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Report of the Commissioners by Great Britain Royal Commission on Secondary Education (1893)
"The local authority will not co-opt as a rule unless it is its business to do so ; but if it has to elect, ..."

2. Local Government in Scotland by Mabel Atkinson (1904)
"On some committees it is legal to co-opt members from outside. ... The technical education committees have power to co-opt, but, so far as I can learn, ..."

3. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1899)
"The Committee decided to co-opt an Italian and a Russian member. The Russian Government accepted the invitation, and, on the nomination of the Imperial ..."

4. The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland by Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland (1894)
"In case of a vacancy occurring for a Member of Council during the year, the Council shall at its next Meeting co-opt a Fellow or Member, ..."

5. State of the Nation: South Africa 2003-2004 by John Daniel, Adam Habib, Roger Southall (2004)
"Moreover, the state provided the rationale for mobilising this sector by proposing a reform that attempted to co-opt some and marginalise other elements of ..."

6. Mankind in the Making by Herbert George Wells (1904)
"Of course they " co-opt " their fellow politicians, rejected candidates, and so on. Among other expedients that people have discussed, are such as would ..."

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