adopt /ə-'däpt/ vt
1: to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one's own child esp. in compliance with formal legal procedures see also equitable adoption
2: to take or accept as if one's own
[the company] adopt ed the signature on the financing statement — Barber-Greene Co. v. Nat'l City Bank of Minneapolis, 816 F.2d 1267 (1987)
3: to accept formally and put into effect
adopt a constitutional amendment
adopt·able /ə-'däp-tə-bəl/ adj
adopt·abil·i·ty /ə-ˌdäp-tə-'bi-lə-tē/ adv
adop·tion /ə-'däp-shən/ n
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.