Choose\, v. t. [imp. Chose; p. p. Chosen, Chose (Obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Choosing.] [OE. chesen, cheosen, AS. ce['o]san; akin to OS. kiosan, D. kiezen, G. kiesen, Icel. kj[=o]sa, Goth. kiusan, L. gustare to taste, Gr. ?, Skr. jush to enjoy. [root]46. Cf. Choice, 2d Gust.]1. To make choice of; to select; to take by way of preference from two or more objects offered; to elect; as, to choose the least of two evils. Choose me for a humble friend. --Pope. 2. To wish; to desire; to prefer. [Colloq.] The landlady now returned to know if we did not choose a more genteel apartment. --Goldsmith. To choose sides. See under Side. Syn: Syn. - To select; prefer; elect; adopt; follow. Usage: To Choose, Prefer, Elect. To choose is the generic term, and denotes to take or fix upon by an act of the will, especially in accordance with a decision of the judgment. To prefer is to choose or favor one thing as compared with, and more desirable than, another, or more in accordance with one's tastes and feelings. To elect is to choose or select for some office, employment, use, privilege, etc., especially by the concurrent vote or voice of a sufficient number of electors. To choose a profession; to prefer private life to a public one; to elect members of Congress.
Ec*lec"tic\, a. [Gr. ?, fr. ? to pick out, choose out: cf. F. ['e]clectique. See Eclogue, and cf. Elect.]1. Selecting; choosing (what is true or excellent in doctrines, opinions, etc.) from various sources or systems; as, an eclectic philosopher. 2. Consisting, or made up, of what is chosen or selected; as, an eclectic method; an eclectic magazine. Eclectic physician, one of a class of practitioners of medicine, who select their modes of practice and medicines from all schools; formerly, sometimes the same as botanic physician. [U.S.] Eclectic school. (Paint.) See Bolognese school, under Bolognese.
E*lect"\, a. [L. electus, p. p. of eligere to elect; e out + legere to choose. See Legend, and cf. Elite, Eclectic.]1. Chosen; taken by preference from among two or more. "Colors quaint elect." --Spenser. 2. (Theol.) Chosen as the object of mercy or divine favor; set apart to eternal life. "The elect angels." --1 Tim. v. 21. 3. Chosen to an office, but not yet actually inducted into it; as, bishop elect; governor or mayor elect.
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