verb (v)

• choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans(verb.possession)

  Synonym:
  espouse, follow
  

  source: wordnet30
• take up and practice as one's own(verb.possession)

  Synonym:
  borrow, take over, take up
  

  source: wordnet30
• take on titles, offices, duties, responsibilities(verb.social)

  Synonym:
  assume, take on, take over
  

  source: wordnet30
• take on a certain form, attribute, or aspect(verb.change)

  Example:
  He adopted an air of superiority.
  

  Synonym:
  acquire, assume, take, take on
  

  source: wordnet30
• take into one's family(verb.change)

  Example:
  They adopted two children from Nicaragua.
  

  Synonym:
  take in
  

  source: wordnet30
• put into dramatic form(verb.creation)

  Example:
  Adopt a book for a screenplay.
  

  Synonym:
  dramatise, dramatize
  

  source: wordnet30
• take up the cause, ideology, practice, method, of someone and use it as one's own(verb.cognition)

  Example:
  They adopted the Jewish faith.
  

  Synonym:
  embrace, espouse, sweep up
  

  source: wordnet30
• 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.(verb)

  source: webster1913