coopt

[koh-opt] /koʊˈɒpt/
verb (used with object)
1.
to elect into a body by the votes of the existing members.
2.
to assimilate, take, or win over into a larger or established group:
The fledgling Labor party was coopted by the Socialist party.
3.
to appropriate as one's own; preempt:
The dissidents have coopted the title of her novel for their slogan.
Also, co-opt.
Origin
1645-55; < Latin cooptāre. See co-, opt
Related forms
cooptation, co-optation, cooption, co-option
[koh-op-shuh n] /koʊˈɒp ʃən/ (Show IPA),
noun
cooptative, co-optative
[koh-op-tuh-tiv] /koʊˈɒp tə tɪv/ (Show IPA),
cooptive, co-optive, adjective
Can be confused
co-op, coop, co-opt, coupe.
Examples from the web for coopt
  • But viruses don't consume the bodies of their hosts, they coopt and destroy their cells for reproduction.
British Dictionary definitions for coopt

coopt

/kəʊˈɒpt/
verb (transitive)
1.
to add (someone) to a committee, board, etc, by the agreement of the existing members
2.
to appoint summarily; commandeer
Derived Forms
cooption, co-option, cooptation, co-optation, noun
cooptative, co-optative, adjective
Word Origin
C17: from Latin cooptāre to elect, from optāre to choose
Word Origin and History for coopt
v.

see co-opt.