— choiceless , adj. — choicely , adv. — choiceness , n.
/choys/ , n., adj., choicer, choicest .
n.
1. an act or instance of choosing; selection: Her choice of a computer was made after months of research. His parents were not happy with his choice of friends.
2. the right, power, or opportunity to choose; option: The child had no choice about going to school.
3. the person or thing chosen or eligible to be chosen: This book is my choice. He is one of many choices for the award.
4. an alternative: There is another choice.
5. an abundance or variety from which to choose: a wide choice of candidates.
6. something that is preferred or preferable to others; the best part of something: Mare's Nest is the choice in the sixth race.
7. a carefully selected supply: This restaurant has a fine choice of wines.
8. a choice grade of beef.
9. of choice , that is generally preferred: A detached house is still the home of choice.
adj.
10. worthy of being chosen; excellent; superior.
11. carefully selected: choice words.
12. (in the grading of beef in the U.S.) rated between prime and good.
[ 1250-1300; ME chois choisir to perceive, choose ]
Syn. 2. CHOICE, ALTERNATIVE, OPTION, PREFERENCE all suggest the power of choosing between things. CHOICE implies the opportunity to choose: a choice of evils. ALTERNATIVE suggests that one has a choice between only two possibilities. It is often used with a negative to mean that there is no second possibility: to have no alternative. OPTION emphasizes free right or privilege of choosing: to exercise one's option. PREFERENCE applies to a choice based on liking or partiality: to state a preference. 10. select, rare, uncommon, valuable, precious. See fine 1 .