From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :
Adoptive \A*dopt"ive\, a. [L. adoptivus: cf. F. adoptif.]
Pertaining to adoption; made or acquired by adoption; fitted
to adopt; as, an adoptive father, an child; an adoptive
language. -- A*dopt"ive*ly, adv.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) :
adoptive
adj 1: of parents and children; related by adoption; "adoptive
parents" [ant: biological]
2: acquired as your own by free choice; "my adopted state"; "an
adoptive country" [syn: adopted, adoptive] [ant:
native]