The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
adoptive — adop·tive /ə däp tiv/ adj 1 a: having adopted an adoptive parent b: having been adopted an adoptive child 2: made or acquired by accepting as one s own the words or actions of another to constitute an adoptive admission...defendant must … Law dictionary
adoptive — [ə däp′tiv] adj. [L adoptivus] 1. having to do with adoption 2. having become so by the act of adoption [adoptive parents] adoptively adv … English World dictionary
adoptive — (adj.) early 15c., from M.Fr. adoptif, from L. adoptivus pertaining to adoption, from stem of adoptere (see ADOPT (Cf. adopt)) … Etymology dictionary
adoptive — ► ADJECTIVE 1) (of a child or parent) in that relationship by adoption. 2) denoting a place chosen as one s permanent place of residence … English terms dictionary
adoptive — [[t]ədɒ̱ptɪv[/t]] 1) ADJ: ADJ n Someone s adoptive family is the family that adopted them. He was brought up by adoptive parents in London. ...her adoptive mother. 2) ADJ: ADJ n Someone s adoptive country or city is the one that they choose for… … English dictionary
adoptive — adoptively, adv. /euh dop tiv/, adj. 1. of or involving adoption. 2. acquired or related by adoption: an adoptive father or son. 3. tending to adopt. [1400 50; < L adoptivus; see ADOPT, IVE; r. late ME adoptife < MF adoptif] Usage. Although… … Universalium
adoptive — ● adoptif, adoptive adjectif (latin adoptivus) Qu on a adopté : Fils adoptif. Qui a adopté : Père adoptif. Se dit d un pays choisi, préféré à d autres : Patrie adoptive. Relatif à l adoption : Filiation adoptive … Encyclopédie Universelle
adoptive — a•dop•tive [[t]əˈdɒp tɪv[/t]] adj. 1) of or involving adoption 2) use acquired or related by adoption: an adoptive father[/ex] 3) tending to adopt • Etymology: 1400–50; late ME < MF < L a•dop′tive•ly, adv. usage: adoptive is customarily… … From formal English to slang
adoptive — /əˈdɒptɪv / (say uh doptiv) adjective 1. related by adoption: an adoptive father; an adoptive son. 2. tending to adopt: adoptive of new technology. 3. (of children) for adoption. –adoptively, adverb …
adoptive — adopted, adoptive The correct use of each word is as follows: a child is adopted and its parents are adoptive. The distinction has become eroded in recent usage, especially in extended uses with reference to countries, homes, etc … Modern English usage
