Ado'ption. n.s. [adoptio, Lat.]

1. The act of adopting, or taking to one's self what is not native.

   See the hell of having a false woman! My bed shall be abused, my coffers ransacked, my reputation gnawn at; and I shall not only receive this villainous wrong, but stand under the adoption of abominable terms, and by him that does me the wrong. Shakesp. Merry Wives of Windsor.

2. The state of being adopted.

                       In which time she purpos'd,
   By watching, weeping, tendance, kissing, to
   O'ercome you with her shew: yes, and in time
   (When she had fitted you with her craft) to work
   Her son into th' adoption of the crown. Shakesp. Cymbeline.

   In every act of our christian worship, we are taught to call upon him under the endearing character of our Father, to remind us of our adoption, that we are made heirs of God, and joint heirs of Christ. Rogers's Sermons.