I. sə-ˈlekt adjective
Etymology: Latin selectus, past participle of seligere to select, from se- apart (from sed, se without) + legere to gather, select — more at suicide , legend
Date: circa 1555
1. : chosen from a number or group by fitness or preference
2.
a. : of special value or excellence : superior , choice
b. : exclusively or fastidiously chosen often with regard to social, economic, or cultural characteristics
3. : judicious or restrictive in choice : discriminating
pleased with the select appreciation of his books — Osbert Sitwell
• se·lect·able sə-ˈlek-tə-bəl adjective
• se·lect·ness sə-ˈlek(t)-nəs noun
• se·lec·tor sə-ˈlek-tər noun
II. verb
Date: 1566
transitive verb
: to choose (as by fitness or excellence) from a number or group : pick out
intransitive verb
: to make a choice
III. noun
Date: 1610
: one that is select — often used in plural