— choosable , adj. — chooser , n.
/choohz/ , v. , chose; chosen or ( Obs. ) chose; choosing .
v.t.
1. to select from a number of possibilities; pick by preference: She chose Sunday for her departure.
2. to prefer or decide (to do something): He chose to run for election.
3. to want; desire.
4. (esp. in children's games) to contend with (an opponent) to decide, as by odd or even, who will do something: I'll choose you to see who gets to bat first.
v.i.
5. to make a choice: He chose carefully.
6. to be inclined: You may stay here, if you choose.
7. (esp. in children's games) to decide, as by means of odd or even, who will do something: Let's choose to see who bats first.
8. cannot choose but , cannot do otherwise than; is or are obliged to: He cannot choose but obey.
9. choose up ,
a. to select (players) for a contest or game: The boys chose up sides for the game.
b. to select players for a contest or game: We have to choose up before we can play.
[ bef. 1000; ME chosen, chesen, OE ceosan; c. Goth kiusan, OHG kiosan (G kiesen ); akin to Gk geúesthai to enjoy, L gustare to taste (see GUSTO) ]
Syn. 1. CHOOSE, SELECT, PICK, ELECT, PREFER indicate a decision that one or more possibilities are to be regarded more highly than others. CHOOSE suggests a decision on one of a number of possibilities because of its apparent superiority: to choose a course of action. SELECT suggests a choice made for fitness: to select the proper golf club. PICK, an informal word, suggests a selection on personal grounds: to pick a winner. The formal word ELECT suggests a kind of official action: to elect a representative. PREFER, also formal, emphasizes the desire or liking for one thing more than for another or others: to prefer coffee to tea.
Ant. 1. reject.