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choice
2 dictionary results for: Choicest
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
choice       [chois] Pronunciation Key noun, adjective, choic·er, choic·est.
–noun
1.an act or instance of choosing; selection: Her choice of a computer was made after months of research. His parents were not happy with his choice of friends.
2.the right, power, or opportunity to choose; option: The child had no choice about going to school.
3.the person or thing chosen or eligible to be chosen: This book is my choice. He is one of many choices for the award.
4.an alternative: There is another choice.
5.an abundance or variety from which to choose: a wide choice of candidates.
6.something that is preferred or preferable to others; the best part of something: Mare's Nest is the choice in the sixth race.
7.a carefully selected supply: This restaurant has a fine choice of wines.
8.a choice grade of beef.
–adjective
9.worthy of being chosen; excellent; superior.
10.carefully selected: choice words.
11.(in the grading of beef in the U.S.) rated between prime and good.
—Idiom
12.of choice, that is generally preferred: A detached house is still the home of choice.
[Origin: 1250–1300; ME chois < OF, deriv. of choisir to perceive, choose < Gmc; see choose]

—Related forms
choiceless, adjective
choicely, adverb
choiceness, noun

—Synonyms 2. Choice, alternative, option, preference all suggest the power of choosing between things. Choice implies the opportunity to choose: a choice of evils. Alternative suggests that one has a choice between only two possibilities. It is often used with a negative to mean that there is no second possibility: to have no alternative. Option emphasizes free right or privilege of choosing: to exercise one's option. Preference applies to a choice based on liking or partiality: to state a preference. 9. select, rare, uncommon, valuable, precious. See fine1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
choice       (chois)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. The act of choosing; selection.
  2. The power, right, or liberty to choose; option.
  3. One that is chosen.
  4. A number or variety from which to choose: a wide choice of styles and colors.
  5. The best or most preferable part.
  6. Care in choosing.
  7. An alternative.

adj.   choic·er, choic·est
    1. Of very fine quality.
    2. Appealing to refined taste.
  2. Selected with care.
  3. Of the U.S. Government grade of meat higher than good and lower than prime.


[Middle English chois, from Old French, from choisir, to choose, from Vulgar Latin *causīre, of Germanic origin; see geus- in Indo-European roots.]

choice'ly adv., choice'ness n.
Synonyms: These nouns denote the act, power, or right of choosing. Choice implies broadly the freedom to choose from a set: The store offers a wide choice of vegetables. I had no choice in the matter.
Alternative emphasizes choice between only two possibilities or courses of action: "An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth.... Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do" (Jane Austen).
Option often stresses a power or liberty to choose that has been granted: The legislature outlined several tax options.
Preference indicates choice based on one's values, bias, or predilections: We were offered our preference of wines.
Selection suggests a variety of things or persons to choose from: The video store had a wide selection of foreign films.
Election especially emphasizes the use of judgment: The university recommends the election of courses in literature. See Also Synonyms at delicate.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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