adoptive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective of parents and children; related by adoption
    • adoptive parents
  2. adjective acquired as your own by free choice
    adopted.
    • my adopted state
    • an adoptive country

WordNet

A*dopt"ive adjective
Etymology
L. adoptivus: cf. F. adoptif.
Definitions
  1. 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.

Webster 1913