Pronunciation: [ɐdˈɒptɪd t͡ʃˈa͡ɪld] (IPA) 
The spelling of the phrase "adopted child" is quite straight forward. It starts with the vowel sound represented by the letter A, followed by the consonant D, and the dipthong OY making the sound "oyy". The next letter is P, followed by the consonant T and the vowel E making the sound "ed". The word ends with the consonant D. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription of "adopted child" is /əˈdɒptɪd tʃaɪld/.
An adopted child refers to an individual who has been legally and permanently placed into the care and custody of a person or couple, commonly known as the adoptive parents. Adoption is a legal process that transfers all the rights, responsibilities, and privileges of the birth parents to the adoptive parents, thus creating a new and permanent family bond.
An adopted child may enter the adoptive family through various means, such as domestic or international adoption, agency adoption, private adoption, or adoption through foster care. Once the adoption process is finalized, the adopted child assumes the same legal status and rights as biological children within the family unit.
The adoption of a child typically involves a comprehensive evaluation and screening process, aimed at ensuring the stability, suitability, and compatibility of the potential adoptive parents. This process varies depending on the jurisdiction and type of adoption, but generally includes background checks, home visits, interviews, and legal documentation.
Adoption is often seen as an act of love and commitment, enabling individuals or couples to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for a child who may have experienced challenging circumstances. Adoptive parents assume the role of providing for the child's physical, emotional, and educational needs, offering a stable and loving family environment to promote their growth and well-being.
While an adopted child may not share a biological connection with their adoptive parents, the love, care, and bonds formed within the adoptive family are just as strong and meaningful as those in biological families. Society recognizes the adopted child as a full-fledged member of their adoptive family, entitled to the same rights, privileges, and opportunities as any other child.
The word "adopted" originates from the Latin verb "adoptare", which is a combination of "ad" (meaning "to") and "optare" (meaning "choose" or "desire"). Thus, "adoptare" literally translates to "to choose or desire to take as one's own".
The word "child" comes from the Old English word "cild", which means "fetus" or "unborn or newly born offspring". It is related to the Proto-Germanic word "kilthom", meaning "girl" or "boy".
So, when combined, "adopted child" refers to a child who has been chosen or desired to be taken as one's own by someone who is not their biological parent.
