As a Verb or Adjective: 1. To take a child into your own family and make it legally your son or daughter. English = adopt (a child). 2. To eagerly take over something and make it your own because you want it or like it. English = seize upon, adopt. 3. To grab onto something and keep it for yourself or close to yourself because you want it or like it. 4. To become very involved with someone because you are interested in them or find them useful. Informal English = latch onto someone.