co‧opt (also co-opt British English) /kəʊˈɒpt $ koʊˈɑːpt/ verb [transitive] formal
[Word Family: verb: opt, coopt; noun: option; adverb: optionally; adjective: optional]
[Date: 1600-1700; Language: Latin; Origin: cooptare, from co- ( ⇒ co-) + optare 'to choose']

1. British English to make someone a member of a group, committee etc, by the agreement of all the members:
The committee may co-opt additional members for special purposes.
coopt somebody onto/into/to something
She was coopted onto the county education committee.

2. to persuade someone to help or support you
coopt somebody to do something
Social scientists were co-opted to work with the development agencies.
Nan was coopted into the kitchen to make pastry.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲