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se·lect (sĭ-lĕkt)
Share:
v. se·lect·ed, se·lect·ing, se·lects
v.tr.
To take as a choice from among several; pick out: We selected the ripest pears at the orchard. The winning ticket was selected at random.
v.intr.
To make a choice or selection: The menu offered numerous dishes to select from.
adj.
1. Singled out in preference; chosen: a select few.
2. Of special quality or value; choice: select peaches.
3. Of or relating to the USDA grade of beef that has less marbling than choice or prime cuts.
4. Careful or refined in making selections; discriminating.
n.
1. One that is chosen in preference to others or because of special value.
2. (used with a pl. verb) Chosen or preferred items or people considered as a group. Often used with the.

[Latin sēligere, sēlēct- : sē-, apart; see s(w)e- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + legere, to choose; see leg- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

se·lecta·ble adj.
se·lectness n.
se·lector n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.