† aˈdoptant,a.andn.Obs. [a. Fr.adoptant, ad. L. adoptant-empr.pple. of adoptā-re to adopt. Cited as n. only.] a.adj. Adopting. b.n. One who adopts, or takes a child as his own. 1671J. Flavel Fount. of Life xv. 42 Both flow from the Pleasure and Goodwill of the adoptant.