8 uses
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Definition
to take on as one's own
The exact meaning of adopt depends upon its context. For example:
- "adopt a child" — to legally take on parental responsibilities for another person's child
- "adopt a plan" — to accept or begin to use something
- "adopt a pet" — to take in a pet — especially one from an animal shelter
- "Congress adopted the resolution." — had a formal vote and passed
- "adopted a confident attitude" — took on or displayed
- So far he will please his father, and I have promised in the mean time to try and reconcile Vincy to his son's adopting some other line of life.Book 4 — Three Love Problems (78% in)
- Vincy not liking the lowering system adopted by him), he had many patients among their connections and acquaintances.Book 1 — Miss Brooke (79% in)
- I cannot persuade you to adopt my regimen, Vincy?Book 2 — Old and Young (5% in)
- This was an innovation for one who had chosen to adopt the style of general practitioner in a country town, and would be felt as offensive criticism by his professional brethren.Book 2 — Old and Young (24% in)
- The work had been easier to define because Mr. Casaubon had adopted an immediate intention: there was to be a new Parergon, a small monograph on some lately traced indications concerning the Egyptian mysteries whereby certain assertions of Warburton's could be corrected.Book 3 — Waiting for Death (58% in)
- Death and other striking dispositions, such as feminine trustfulness, had come; and Bulstrode would have adopted Cromwell's words—"Do you call these bare events?Book 6 — The Widow and Wife (82% in)
- As to the first proceeding there is no solid ground to go upon, else Hawley would have adopted it; and as to opening the subject with Lydgate, I confess I should shrink from it.Book 8 — Sunset and Sunrise (0% in)
- Hence Mrs. Bulstrode was shown into the drawing-room, and Mrs. Hackbutt went to her, with more tightness of lip and rubbing of her hands than was usually observable in her, these being precautions adopted against freedom of speech.Book 8 — Sunset and Sunrise (15% in)
There are no more uses of "adopt" in Middlemarch.
Typical Usage
(best examples)