v. t. [ See Cooptate. Cf. F. coopter. ] To choose or elect in concert with another. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Each of the hundred was to coopt three others. Jowett (Thucyd.). [ 1913 Webster ] 2. To choose or elect as a colleague or fellow member of a group; as, The church members co-opted individuals from similar backgrounds to replenish the congregation. [ PJC + WordNet 1.5 ] 3. To assimilate (a smaller group) into a larger group. [ PJC ] 4. To persuade an opponent to join one's own side. [ PJC ] 5. To appoint summarily (with or without the appointee's consent). [ WordNet 1.5 ] 6. To appropriate (something rightly belonging to another) as one's own; to preempt; as, to co-opt someone's name. [ PJC ] Variants: co-opt | 
