v. t. [ See Cooptate. Cf. F. coopter. ] To choose or elect in concert with another. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
Each of the hundred was to coopt three others. Jowett (Thucyd.). [ 1913 Webster ]
2. To choose or elect as a colleague or fellow member of a group; as, The church members co-opted individuals from similar backgrounds to replenish the congregation. [ PJC + WordNet 1.5 ]
3. To assimilate (a smaller group) into a larger group. [ PJC ]
4. To persuade an opponent to join one's own side. [ PJC ]
5. To appoint summarily (with or without the appointee's consent). [ WordNet 1.5 ]
6. To appropriate (something rightly belonging to another) as one's own; to preempt; as, to co-opt someone's name. [ PJC ]