Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Adopted \A*dopt"ed\, a.
   Taken by adoption; taken up as one's own; as, an adopted son,
   citizen, country, word. -- {A*dopt"ed*ly}, adv.

Adopt \A*dopt"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Adopted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Adopting}.] [L. adoptare; ad + optare to choose, desire: cf.
   F. adopter. See {Option}.]
   1. To take by choice into relationship, as, child, heir,
      friend, citizen, etc.; esp. to take voluntarily (a child
      of other parents) to be in the place of, or as, one's own
      child.

   2. To take or receive as one's own what is not so naturally;
      to select and take or approve; as, to adopt the view or
      policy of another; these resolutions were adopted.

Source : WordNet®

adopted
     adj 1: acquired as your own by free choice; "my adopted state"; "an
            adoptive country" [syn: {adoptive}] [ant: {native}]
     2: having been taken into a specific relationship; "an adopted
        child"