He was brought up by adoptive parents in London.
...her adoptive mother.
They threatened to expel him from his adoptive country...
Galway in Ireland is my adoptive home.
English dictionary. 2008.
adoptive — adop·tive /ə däp tiv/ adj 1 a: having adopted an adoptive parent b: having been adopted an adoptive child 2: made or acquired by accepting as one s own the words or actions of another to constitute an adoptive admission...defendant must … Law dictionary
Adoptive — A*dopt ive, a. [L. adoptivus: cf. F. adoptif.] Pertaining to adoption; made or acquired by adoption; fitted to adopt; as, an adoptive father, an child; an adoptive language. {A*dopt ive*ly}, adv. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
adoptive — [ə däp′tiv] adj. [L adoptivus] 1. having to do with adoption 2. having become so by the act of adoption [adoptive parents] adoptively adv … English World dictionary
adoptive — (adj.) early 15c., from M.Fr. adoptif, from L. adoptivus pertaining to adoption, from stem of adoptere (see ADOPT (Cf. adopt)) … Etymology dictionary
adoptive — ► ADJECTIVE 1) (of a child or parent) in that relationship by adoption. 2) denoting a place chosen as one s permanent place of residence … English terms dictionary
adoptive — adoptively, adv. /euh dop tiv/, adj. 1. of or involving adoption. 2. acquired or related by adoption: an adoptive father or son. 3. tending to adopt. [1400 50; < L adoptivus; see ADOPT, IVE; r. late ME adoptife < MF adoptif] Usage. Although… … Universalium
adoptive — ● adoptif, adoptive adjectif (latin adoptivus) Qu on a adopté : Fils adoptif. Qui a adopté : Père adoptif. Se dit d un pays choisi, préféré à d autres : Patrie adoptive. Relatif à l adoption : Filiation adoptive … Encyclopédie Universelle
adoptive — a•dop•tive [[t]əˈdɒp tɪv[/t]] adj. 1) of or involving adoption 2) use acquired or related by adoption: an adoptive father[/ex] 3) tending to adopt • Etymology: 1400–50; late ME < MF < L a•dop′tive•ly, adv. usage: adoptive is customarily… … From formal English to slang
adoptive — /əˈdɒptɪv / (say uh doptiv) adjective 1. related by adoption: an adoptive father; an adoptive son. 2. tending to adopt: adoptive of new technology. 3. (of children) for adoption. –adoptively, adverb …
adoptive — adopted, adoptive The correct use of each word is as follows: a child is adopted and its parents are adoptive. The distinction has become eroded in recent usage, especially in extended uses with reference to countries, homes, etc … Modern English usage
