sə̇ˈlek(t)ˌman, sēˈle-, ˈsle-, -maa(ə)n, ( ̷ ̷ˌ) ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ also ( ̷ ̷)ˈ ̷ ̷_mən; ˈsēˌlek(t)ˌman, -_lə̇k-, -maa(ə)n, ˌ ̷ ̷(ˌ) ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ sometimes ˈsi(ˌ) ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ or ˌsi(ˌ) ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ or ˈse(ˌ) ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ or ˌse(ˌ) ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ noun
( plural select·men -men for -man or -maa(ə)n in singular, -mən for -mən in singular )
Etymology: select (I) + man
: a person chosen to exercise special powers in a system of government ; especially : one of a board of officers chosen usually in staggered three-year terms in towns of all the New England states except Rhode Island to transact and administer the general public business of the town