/ sɪˈlekt; NAmE / verb , adjective
■ verb
1.
select sb/sth (as / for sth) | select sb/sth (from sth) to choose sb/sth from a group of people or things, usually according to a system :
[ vn ]
He hasn't been selected for the team.
All our hotels have been carefully selected for the excellent value they provide.
She was selected as the parliamentary candidate for Bath.
a randomly selected sample of 23 schools
selected poems of T.S. Eliot
This model is available at selected stores only.
[ vn to inf ]
Six theatre companies have been selected to take part in this year's festival.
[also v wh- ] ➡ note at choose
2.
( computing ) [ vn ] to mark sth on a computer screen; to choose sth, especially from a menu :
Select the text you want to format by holding down the left button on your mouse.
Select 'New Mail' from the 'Send' menu.
■ adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] carefully chosen as the best out of a larger group of people or things :
a select wine list
Only a select few (= a small number of people) have been invited to the wedding.
2.
( of a society, club, place, etc. ) used by people who have a lot of money or a high social position
SYN exclusive :
They live in a very select area.
a select club
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from Latin select- chosen, from the verb seligere , from se- apart + legere choose.