English Lexicon

Adoptee

/ˌæd.ɒpˈtiː/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #8500 frequency
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1 sense
As noun
  1. 1

    A person who has been legally adopted by a new parent or parents.

    "The conference provided a valuable support network for adult adoptees searching for their biological families."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the English verb 'adopt', combined with the suffix '-ee' borrowed from Anglo-Norman and French legal terminology to denote the passive recipient of an action. The root traces back to the Latin 'adoptare', meaning to choose for oneself or take as one's own. The term gained broader sociological and legal currency in the mid-20th century with the formalization of modern adoption practices.

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