adoption
UK[əˈdɒpʃn]US[əˈdɑːpʃn]
n
The act of legally taking another person's child into your family to raise as your own.
n
The act of starting to use a new idea, plan, method, etc.
Morpheme Breakdown
ad
opt
ion
ad
to, toward
opt
choose
ion
action or process
Etymology
The word 'adoption' originates from the Latin verb adoptāre, a compound of ad- ("to") and optāre ("to choose, to wish"). This literal sense of "choosing toward oneself" perfectly captures the core legal and social act of selecting a child to become one's own. Through Old French adopcion, the term entered Middle English, retaining its fundamental meaning of a deliberate act of selection. The semantic field expanded metaphorically to encompass the deliberate acceptance and implementation of any new practice, idea, or technology, preserving the original logic of a conscious, willed choice.
Analysis
Structure: ad (to, toward) + opt (choose) + ion (action or process)
ad: Latin prefix meaning "to, toward, near."
opt: Latin root from optāre, meaning "to choose, to wish for."
ion: Latin suffix forming nouns denoting action or process.
Examples
They are considering the adoption of a child from overseas.
The rapid adoption of smartphones has changed how we communicate.
The committee voted on the adoption of the new policy.