n.
Pronunciation: ' pik
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English piken, partly from Old English *p ī cian (akin to Middle Dutch picken to prick); partly from Middle French piquer to prick ― more at PIKE
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 : to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument < pick ed the hard clay>
2 a : to remove bit by bit < pick meat from bones> b : to remove covering or adhering matter from < pick the bones>
3 a : to gather by plucking < pick apples> b : CHOOSE , SELECT <tried to pick the shortest route> <she pick ed out the most expensive dress> c : to make (one's way) slowly and carefully < pick ed his way through the rubble>
4 a : PILFER , ROB < pick pockets> b : to obtain useful information from by questioning ― used in such phrases as pick the brains of
5 : PROVOKE < pick a quarrel>
6 a : to dig into : PROBE < pick ing his teeth> b : to pluck (as a guitar) with a pick or with the fingers c : to loosen or pull apart with a sharp point < pick wool>
7 : to unlock with a device (as a wire) other than the key < pick a lock>
intransitive verb
1 : to use or work with a pick
2 : to gather or harvest something by plucking
3 : PILFER ― used in the phrase picking and stealing
4 : to eat sparingly or mincingly < pick ing listlessly at his dinner>
– pick and choose : to select with care and deliberation
– pick at : to criticize repeatedly especially for minor faults : NAG
– pick on : to single out for criticism, teasing, or bullying < picked on smaller boys> also : to single out for a particular purpose or for special attention