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elect

[ih-lekt]

Origin

verb (used with object)

to choose or select by vote, as for an office: to elect a mayor.

to determine in favor of (a method, course of action, etc.).

to pick out; choose: First-year students may elect French, Spanish, or German.

Theology. (of God) to select for divine mercy or favor, especially for salvation.

verb (used without object)

to choose or select someone or something, as by voting.

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Elect is one of our favorite verbs.

So is hornswoggle. Does it mean:

to flee; abscond:

to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax.

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adjective

selected, as for an office, but not yet inducted (usually used in combination following a noun): the governor-elect.

select or choice: an elect circle of artists.

Theology. chosen by God, especially for eternal life.

noun the elect,

a person or the persons chosen or worthy to be chosen.

10.

Theology. a person or persons chosen by God, especially for favor or salvation.

Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English < Latin ēlēctus chosen (past participle of ēligere), equivalent to ē- e- + leg- choose + -tus past participle suffix; see elite

Related forms

e·lec·tee

[ih-lek-tee] , noun

non·e·lect, noun

pre·e·lect, verb (used with object)

re·e·lect, verb (used with object)

Synonyms
3. See choose.

Antonyms
1, 2. reject.

Dictionary.com Unabridged

Also, elec.

Link To Elect

Collins

World English Dictionary

elect (ɪˈlɛkt)

—vb
1.	(tr) to choose (someone) to be (a representative or a public official) by voting: they elected him Mayor
2.	to select; choose: to elect to die rather than surrender
3.	(tr) (of God) to select or predestine for the grace of salvation

—*adj*
4.	(immediately postpositive) voted into office but not yet installed: the president elect
5.	a. chosen or choice; selected or elite
	b. (as collective noun; preceded by the): the elect
6.	Christianity
	a. selected or predestined by God to receive salvation; chosen
	b. (as collective noun; preceded by the): the elect

[C15: from Latin ēligere to select, from legere to choose]

e'lectable

—*adj*

electa'bility

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

elect

late 15c., from L. electus, pp. of eligere (see election). Related: Elected; electing.

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