I. ˈchȯis noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English chois, from Old French, from choisir to choose, of Germanic origin; akin to Gothic kausjan to examine, test, kjusan to choose — more at choose
1. : the act of choosing ; typically : the voluntary and purposive or deliberate action of picking, singling out, or selecting from two or more that which is favored or superior : the decision reached by such action
the choice made by the voters
Lincoln's choice of Grant as general
2.
a. : the right, privilege, opportunity, or faculty of freely choosing, picking out, or deciding : freedom to pick or decide : option
a captive has little choice
b. : situation demanding choosing or justifying consideration of alternatives
there is no choice between right and wrong
3.
a. : a person, thing, part, way, or characteristic chosen, singled out, or favored typically as best or most likely, fit, or advantageous
New York was the delegates' first choice as capital
b. : an example, part, or instance worthy of being chosen as excellent or best : prime , pick , flower , cream , elite
of the cavalry the king's own was the choice
c. : a person or thing available, fit, or likely to be picked out or designated
several choices for the nomination
4. : a sufficient or ample number or variety for wide or free selection
more choice of fruits at the larger market
5. : care and judgment in choosing : discrimination
pick words with choice
6. : a dilemma involving a decision between alternatives ; also : the one way, person, or thing to be preferred to another
death or exile was the choice
Synonyms:
preference , selection , election , option , alternative : choice may suggest freedom in picking out, valuing, or deciding
the oracle has no choice; it must produce an answer — W.D.Howells
Specifically it may suggest individual modifications in obvious or logical criteria
the choice of a cook not for her culinary skill but for her ability to make pretty dishes — Herbert Spencer
preference may heighten notions of personal bias, predilection, or individuality of judgment; it is less likely to suggest a single act of picking, choosing, or deciding
a sterilization of the self, an elimination … of the human bias and preference — Lewis Mumford
his preferences betray him more than his aversions — J.E.E.Acton-Dalburg
selection may suggest careful or wise judgment and discrimination in picking out from a sizable number
when schools attempted, at least, to cultivate discrimination and to furnish the material on which selection can be founded — C.H.Grandgent
election may refer to a definitive or formal choosing after deliberation and to choosing for some explicit role, duty, or function
the solemnity with which religious and ideological groups claim election for special destinies beyond the grave or upon peculiar peaks of history — Cecil Sprigge
In nontechnical uses in today's English option is likely to suggest genuine conferred or guaranteed liberty to choose deliberately
it was the privilege of the English parent to choose whether his children should be instructed or not … the Education Act of 1870 abolished this option — George Sampson
alternative stresses the idea that things not chosen must necessarily be rejected and vice versa
the necessary alternative was to deny it altogether — O.W.Holmes †1935
Although objected to, it is quite common in situations involving more than two choices
our three alternatives — T.E.Lawrence
no third alternative — Walter Moberly
other alternatives existed — Sidney Hook
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- by choice
- of choice
II. adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English chois, from chois, n.
1. : worthy of being chosen above others : of highest quality : without blemish, demerit, or disadvantage : fine , select
Monseigneur … sat down alone to his sumptuous and choice supper — Charles Dickens
accepting choicest candidates
stamps in choice condition
2. : well-chosen : selected by keen intuition or by care and deliberation : most appropriate
sinister stories of Paris landlords … told … with singularly choice words — F.M.Ford
3.
a. : fastidious , discriminating
choice of his food
b. : careful , fond
uncommon choice over her daughters — West Somerset Word Book
4.
a. of meat and other products : of highest or next highest quality
b. of beef : of a grade between prime and good
Synonyms:
exquisite , elegant , rare , recherché, dainty , delicate : choice indicates preeminence or superiority and may or may not connote the idea of being selected
as from the beds and borders of a garden choice flowers are gathered — William Wordsworth
when education in America began, it was intended for the fit and designed to produce a choice type — C.H.Grandgent
exquisite implies near perfection, especially in craftsmanship, and may also imply an especial appeal to the discriminating
selected for their beauty … and beautified with the numerous Indian cosmetics, these girls were of the most exquisite loveliness — C.B.Nordhoff & J.N.Hall
an exquisite skill of eye and hand which gave them their unique success in that artistic craftsmanship — C.W.Eliot
elegant applies to a refined luxury or richness restrained by good taste
they [the Cavaliers] had more both of profound and of polite learning than the Puritans. Their tempers were more engaging … their tastes more elegant — T.B.Macaulay
his trousers were extremely elegant, a light cloth, black and white check, hung on his legs — George Moore
rare , in this sense, may apply to any uncommon excellence
the rarest cordials old monks ever schemed to coax from pulpy grapes — Amy Lowell
nowhere else do we find such rare and costly marbles — H.T.Buckle
recherché may apply to a studied opulent elegance
the sangfroid, grace, abandon, and recherché nonchalance with which Charles Yates ushers ladies and gentlemen to their seats in the opera house — O.Henry
dainty may apply to the graceful and fragile; it usually applies to what pleases the fastidious
the touch is so light, the fancy so dainty, and the conceit so delicate that the poem remains immortally fresh and young — J.W.Draper
this dainty and somewhat supercilious guest has been brought to the supper by a young Roman — Agnes Repplier
delicate , in this sense, suggests subtlety and fineness and either sensuous or intellectual appeal
the delicate fan tracery and crenellated molding of the screen — Dorothy Sayers
not, however, an effervescing wine, although its delicate piquancy produced a somewhat similar effect — Nathaniel Hawthorne
the exquisite transparency and delicate finish of her work — P.E.More