adopt in WordNet English dictionary

1. take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect
   "His voice took on a sad tone"; "The story took a new turn"; "he adopted an air of superiority"; "She assumed strange manners"; "The gods assume human or animal form in these fables"
   assume  acquire  adopt  take on  take 
   
2. take into one's family
   "They adopted two children from Nicaragua"
   adopt  take in 
   
3. take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own
   "She embraced Catholicism"; "They adopted the Jewish faith"
   espouse  embrace  adopt  sweep up 
   
4. put into dramatic form
   "adopt a book for a screenplay"
   dramatize  dramatise  adopt 
   
5. take up and practice as one's own
   adopt  borrow  take over  take up 
   
6. choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
   "She followed the feminist movement"; "The candidate espouses Republican ideals"
   adopt  follow  espouse 
   
7. take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities
   "When will the new President assume office?"
   assume  adopt  take on  take over