Merriam-Webster Word of the Day - Adapt

WORD OF THE DAY January 16, 2018

adapt    verb | uh-DAPT     Definition   : to make or become fit (as for a new use) often by modification   Scroll down for more about adapt       WORD GAMES AND QUIZZES: WEEKLY CHALLENGE   Winter Words Quiz   Winter has returned along with cold weather. Wrap yourself in a blanket and challenge yourself with our 14-question quiz about words relating to winter.     PLAY NOW     Nailed this quiz? We have plenty more to try!  TAKE ME THERE     Plus:   SEE WHAT LOOKUPS ARE TRENDING NOW!         Did You Know?   Rooted in the origins of adapt is the idea of becoming specifically fit for something. English speakers adapted adapt in the 15th century from the Middle French adapter, which was borrowed, in turn, from the Latin adaptāre,a combination of the Latin prefix ad- ("to, toward") and the verb aptāre, meaning "to put into position, bring to bear, make ready." Aptāre is a verbal derivative of aptus, meaning "fit" or "apt." Other descendants of aptus in English include aptitude, inept, and of course apt itself, as well as unapt and inapt.     Examples of ADAPT   It took Rachel a while to adapt to her new school, but she is settling in well now.   "Hydroponics and aeroponics require vigilant monitoring of nutrient solution. While this can be time consuming, Tiger Corner Farms has fully automated this process by adapting warehouse management software to adjust nutrient levels, pH and other environmental parameters." — Tony Bertauski, The Post & Courier (Charleston, South Carolina), 29 Nov. 2017   Name That Synonym   Fill in the blanks to complete a synonym of adapt: _ a _ h _ _ n.   VIEW THE ANSWER           WORDS AT PLAY     10 Words for 'Snow'   Because 200 seemed like overkill   SEE THE FULL LIST            MORE WORD FUN:     WORD GAMES         TRENDING NOW         WORDS AT PLAY