pick

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle), Verb (transitive)
• COUNT in NET: 37 in 37 verses (in OT : 29 in 29 verses) (in NT : 8 in 8 verses)

CIDE DICTIONARY

pick, v. t. [OE. picken, pikken, to prick, peck; akin to Icel. pikka, Sw. picka, Dan. pikke, D. pikken, G. picken, F. piquer, W. pigo. Cf. Peck, v., Pike, Pitch to throw.].

•  To throw; to pitch.  [1913 Webster]

  "As high as I could pick my lance."  [1913 Webster]
•  To peck at, as a bird with its beak; to strike at with anything pointed; to act upon with a pointed instrument; to pierce; to prick, as with a pin.  [1913 Webster]
•  To separate or open by means of a sharp point or points; as, to pick matted wool, cotton, oakum, etc.  [1913 Webster]
•  To open (a lock) as by a wire.  [1913 Webster]
•  To pull apart or away, especially with the fingers; to pluck; to gather, as fruit from a tree, flowers from the stalk, feathers from a fowl, etc.  [1913 Webster]
•  To remove something from with a pointed instrument, with the fingers, or with the teeth; as, to pick the teeth; to pick a bone; to pick a goose; to pick a pocket.  [1913 Webster]

  "Did you pick Master Slender's purse?"  [1913 Webster]

  "He picks clean teeth, and, busy as he seems
  With an old tavern quill, is hungry yet."  [1913 Webster]
•  To choose; to select; to separate as choice or desirable; to cull; as, to pick one's company; to pick one's way; -- often with out.  Shak.  [1913 Webster]
•  To take up; esp., to gather from here and there; to collect; to bring together; as, to pick rags; -- often with up; as, to pick up a ball or stones; to pick up information.  [1913 Webster]
•  To trim.  Chaucer.  [1913 Webster]

To pick at, to tease or vex by pertinacious annoyance. -- To pick a bone with. See under Bone. -- To pick a thank, to curry favor. [Obs.] Robynson (More's Utopia). -- To pick off. (a) To pluck; to remove by picking. (b) To shoot or bring down, one by one; as, sharpshooters pick off the enemy. -- To pick out. (a) To mark out; to variegate; as, to pick out any dark stuff with lines or spots of bright colors. (b) To select from a number or quantity. -- To pick to pieces, to pull apart piece by piece; hence [Colloq.], to analyze; esp., to criticize in detail. -- To pick a quarrel, to give occasion of quarrel intentionally. -- To pick up. (a) To take up, as with the fingers. (b) To get by repeated efforts; to gather here and there; as, to pick up a livelihood; to pick up news.<-- (c) to acquire (an infectious disease); as, to pick up a cold on the airplane. (d) To meet (a person) and induce to accompany one; as, to pick up a date at the mall. [See several other defs in MW10] -->

pick, v. i. 

•  To eat slowly, sparingly, or by morsels; to nibble.  [1913 Webster]

  "Why stand'st thou picking? Is thy palate sore?"  [1913 Webster]
•  To do anything nicely or carefully, or by attending to small things; to select something with care.  [1913 Webster]
•  To steal; to pilfer.  Book of Com. Prayer.  [1913 Webster]

To pick up, to improve by degrees; as, he is picking up in health or business. [Colloq. U.S.]<-- or, to increase gradually, as the car picked up speed rolling downhill -->

pick, n. [F. pic a pickax, a pick. See Pick, and cf. Pike.].

•  A sharp-pointed tool for picking; -- often used in composition; as, a toothpick; a picklock.  [1913 Webster]
•  A heavy iron tool, curved and sometimes pointed at both ends, wielded by means of a wooden handle inserted in the middle, -- used for digging ino the ground by quarrymen, roadmakers, etc.; also, a pointed hammer used for dressing millstones.  [1913 Webster]
•  A pike or spike; the sharp point fixed in the center of a buckler.  Beau. & Fl.  [1913 Webster]
•  Choice; right of selection; as, to have one's pick; in cat breeding, the owner of a stud gets the pick of the litter.  [1913 Webster]

  "France and Russia have the pick of our stables."  [1913 Webster]
•  That which would be picked or chosen first; the best; as, the pick of the flock.  [1913 Webster]
•  A particle of ink or paper imbedded in the hollow of a letter, filling up its face, and occasioning a spot on a printed sheet.  MacKellar.  [1913 Webster]
•  That which is picked in, as with a pointed pencil, to correct an unevenness in a picture.  [1913 Webster]
•  The blow which drives the shuttle, -- the rate of speed of a loom being reckoned as so many picks per minute;  [1913 Webster]

Pick dressing (Arch.), in cut stonework, a facing made by a pointed tool, leaving the surface in little pits or depressions. -- Pick hammer, a pick with one end sharp and the other blunt, used by miners.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

pick, v. & n.
--v.tr.
1 (also absol.) choose carefully from a number of alternatives (picked the pink one; picked a team; picked the right moment to intervene).
2 detach or pluck (a flower, fruit, etc.) from a stem, tree, etc.
3 a probe (the teeth, nose, ears, a pimple, etc.) with the finger, an instrument, etc. to remove unwanted matter. b clear (a bone, carcass, etc.) of scraps of meat etc.
4 (also absol.) (of a person) eat (food, a meal, etc.) in small bits; nibble without appetite.
5 (also absol.) esp. US pluck the strings of (a banjo etc.).
6 remove stalks etc. from (esp. soft fruit) before cooking.
7 a select (a route or path) carefully over difficult terrain by foot. b place (one's steps etc.) carefully.
8 pull apart (pick oakum).
9 (of a bird) take up (grains etc.) in the beak.
--n.
1 the act or an instance of picking.
2 a a selection or choice. b the right to select (had first pick of the prizes).
3 (usu. foll. by of) the best (the pick of the bunch).

Idiom

pick and choose select carefully or fastidiously. pick at
1 eat (food) without interest; nibble.
2 = pick on
1 (see PICK(1)). pick a person's brains extract ideas, information, etc., from a person for one's own use.
pick holes (or a hole) in
1 make holes in (material etc.) by plucking, poking, etc.
2 find fault with (an idea etc.). pick a lock open a lock with an instrument other than the proper key, esp. with intent to steal.
pick-me-up
1 a tonic for the nerves etc.
2 a good experience, good news, etc. that cheers.
pick off
1 pluck (leaves etc.) off.
2 shoot (people etc.) one by one without haste.
3 eliminate (opposition etc.) singly.
pick on
1 find fault with; nag at.
2 select.
pick out
1 take from a larger number (picked him out from the others).
2 distinguish from surrounding objects or at a distance (can just pick out the church spire).
3 play (a tune) by ear on the piano etc.
4 (often foll. by in, with) a highlight (a painting etc.) with touches of another colour. b accentuate (decoration, a painting, etc.) with a contrasting colour (picked out the handles in red).
5 make out (the meaning of a passage etc.). pick over select the best from. pick a person's pockets steal the contents of a person's pockets. pick a quarrel start an argument or a fight deliberately. pick to pieces = take to pieces (see PIECE).
pick up
1 grasp and raise (from the ground etc.) (picked up his hat).
2 gain or acquire by chance or without effort (picked up a cold).
3 a fetch (a person, animal, or thing) left in another person's charge. b stop for and take along with one, esp. in a vehicle (pick me up on the corner).
4 make the acquaintance of (a person) casually, esp. as a sexual overture.
5 (of one's health, the weather, share prices, etc.) recover, prosper, improve.
6 (of a motor engine etc.) recover speed; accelerate.
7 (of the police etc.) take into charge; arrest.
8 detect by scrutiny or with a telescope, searchlight, radio, etc. (picked up most of the mistakes; picked up a distress signal).
9 (often foll. by with) form or renew a friendship.
10 accept the responsibility of paying (a bill etc.).
11 (refl.) raise (oneself etc.) after a fall etc.
12 raise (the feet etc.) clear of the ground.
13 Golf pick up one's ball, esp. when conceding a hole. pick-up 1 sl. a person met casually, esp. for sexual purposes.
2 a small open motor truck.
3 a the part of a record-player carrying the stylus. b a detector of vibrations etc.
4 a the act of picking up. b something picked up. pick-your-own (usu. attrib.) (of commercially grown fruit and vegetables) dug or picked by the customer at the place of production. take one's pick make a choice.

Derivative

pickable adj.

pick, n. & v.
--n.
1 a long-handled tool having a usu. curved iron bar pointed at one or both ends, used for breaking up hard ground, masonry, etc.
2 colloq. a plectrum.
3 any instrument for picking, such as a toothpick.
--v.tr.
1 break the surface of (the ground etc.) with or as if with a pick.
2 make (holes etc.) in this way.

Etymology

ME, app. var. of PIKE(2)

THESAURUS

pick

abuse, accelerate, accost, accumulate, acquire, adz, aggravate, alternativity, amass, annoy, apprehend, arrest, assemble, ax, badger, bait, be at, beak, become acquainted with, bedevil, beset, best, bother, bread knife, bring in, bring together, bristle, browbeat, brown off, brush, bug, bully, bullyrag, bunt, burn up, bushwhacker, bust, butcher knife, buy, call for, carp at, carving knife, catch, champion, chaser, chisel, chivy, choice, choose, choose out, choosing, chosen, chuck, clean up, cleaver, clipper, clippers, co-optation, co-option, collar, collect, come by, come down with, contract, cream, criticize, crop, crop herbs, cull, cut, dab, dagger, decide between, decision, devil, dig, dig up, discern, discompose, discriminate, distemper, distinguish, disturb, dog, elect, election, elite, exasperate, excerpt, exclusive, exercise, extract, fash, fat, filling, fillip, find, first choice, flick, flip, flirt, flower, foment, free choice, free will, fret at, fuss at, gain, garner, gather, gather in, get, get better, get hold of, get in, get together, glean, go to get, gouge, grabble, graze, gripe, grub, grub up, hack, handpick, harass, harry, harvest, hassle, hatchet, hay, heckle, hector, heft, henpeck, hoe, hoist, hound, hunting knife, improve, incite, increase, initiate, intimidate, irk, irritate, jackknife, jest, kill, knife, lance, lancet, learn, letter-opener, lift up, machete, make a comeback, make a selection, make headway, make out, make progress, mark, master, mattock, meet, miff, molest, mow, nab, nag, nag at, neaten, needle, nettle, nibble, nibble at, nick, niggle, nippers, nonesuch, nonpareil, nosh, nudzh, nut, obtain, opt for, optimum, option, paper cutter, paper knife, paragon, paring knife, pat, peck, peck at, peeve, penknife, perk up, persecute, pester, pick and choose, pick at, pick off, pick on, pick out, pick up, pickax, picked, pinch, pique, plague, plectron, plectrum, plowshare, pluck, pluck the beard, plunk, pother, prefer, preference, preoption, pride, prime, prize, provoke, pull in, purchase, queen, quintessence, raise up, rake up, rally, rap, razor, razor blade, reap, reap and carry, recognize, recoup, recover, ride, rile, roil, round up, ruffle, run in, saw knife, sax, scalpel, scare up, scissors, scoop, scrape together, scrape up, scraper, screen out, scuffle hoe, scythe, select, selected, selection, separate, settle on, settle upon, share, shears, sheath knife, shoot, shoot down, sickle, sidecutters, sift, sift out, single out, snack, snap, snips, sort out, spear, speed up, spokeshave, start, stir up, straighten out, straighten up, strum, superlative, surgical knife, sweep the strings, sword, table knife, take, take in, take into custody, take up, tap, taunt, tease, tell apart, the best, the best ever, the pick, the tops, the very best, thrum, tickle, tidy up, tip, top, torment, touch, try the patience, twang, tweak the nose, vex, volition, warp, wedge, weft, whisk, will, winnow, woof, work up, worry, yap at

ROGET THESAURUS

pick

Choice

N choice, option, discretion, preoption, alternative, dilemma, embarras de choix, adoption, cooptation, novation, decision, election, political election (politics), selection, excerption, gleaning, eclecticism, excerpta, gleanings, cuttings, scissors and paste, pick, preference, prelation, opinion poll, survey, predilection, optional, discretional, eclectic, choosing, preferential, chosen, choice, optionally, at pleasure, either the one or the other, or at the option of, whether or not, once and for all, for one's money, by choice, by preference, in preference, rather, before.

Goodness

N goodness, excellence, merit, virtue, value, worth, price, super-excellence, supereminence, superiority, perfection, coup de maitre, masterpiece, chef d'ouvre, prime, flower, cream, elite, pick, A, nonesuch, nonpareil, creme de la creme, flower of the flock, cock of the roost, salt of the earth, champion, prodigy, tidbit, gem, gem of the first water, bijou, precious stone, jewel, pearl, diamond, ruby, brilliant, treasure, good thing, rara avis, one in a thousand, beneficence, good man, harmless, hurtless, unobnoxious, innocuous, innocent, inoffensive, beneficial, valuable, of value, serviceable, advantageous, edifying, profitable, salutary, favorable, propitious fair, good, good as gold, excellent, better, superior, above par, nice, fine, genuine, best, choice, select, picked, elect, recherche, rare, priceless, unparagoned, unparalleled, superlatively, good, bully, crackajack, giltedged, superfine, superexcellent, of the first water, first-rate, first-class, high- wrought, exquisite, very best, crack, prime, tiptop, capital, cardinal, standard, inimitable, admirable, estimable, praiseworthy, pleasing, couleur de rose, precious, of great price, costly, worth its weight in gold, worth a Jew's eye, priceless, invaluable, inestimable, precious as the apple of the eye, tolerable, up to the mark, unexceptionable, unobjectionable, satisfactory, tidy, in good condition, in fair condition, fresh, sound, beneficially, well, Jewels five words long, long may such goodness live!, the luxury of doing good.

Cleanness

VB be clean, render clean, clean, cleanse, mundify, rinse, wring, flush, full, wipe, mop, sponge, scour, swab, scrub, brush up, wash, lave, launder, buck, absterge, deterge, decrassify, clear, purify, depurate, despumate, defecate, purge, expurgate, elutriate, lixiviate, edulcorate, clarify, refine, rack, filter, filtrate, drain, strain, disinfect, fumigate, ventilate, deodorize, whitewash, castrate, emasculate, sift, winnow, pick, weed, comb, rake, brush, sweep, rout out, clear out, sweep out, make a clean sweep of.

Acquisition

VB acquire, get, gain, win, earn, obtain, procure, gather, collect, pick, pickup, glean, find, come upon, pitch upon, light upon, scrape up, scrape together, get in, reap and carry, net, bag, sack, bring home, secure, derive, draw, get in the harvest, profit, make profit, draw profit, turn a quick profit, turn to profit, turn to account, make capital out of, make money by, obtain a return, reap the fruits of, reap an advantage, gain an advantage, turn a penny, turn an honest penny, make the pot boil, bring grist to the mill, make money, coin money, raise money, raise funds, raise the wind, fill one's pocket, treasure up, realize, clear, produce, take, get back, recover, regain, retrieve, revendicate, replevy, redeem, come by one's own, come by, come in for, receive, inherit, step into a fortune, step into the shoes of, succeed to, get hold of, get between one's finger and thumb, get into one's hand, get at, take possession, come into possession, enter into possession, be profitable, pay, answer, accrue.

Sharpness

N sharpness, acuity, acumination, spinosity, point, spike, spine, spicule, spiculum, needle, hypodermic needle, tack, nail, pin, prick, prickle, spur, rowel, barb, spit, cusp, horn, antler, snag, tag thorn, bristle, Adam's needle, bear grass, tine, yucca, nib, tooth, tusk, spoke, cog, ratchet, crag, crest, arete, cone peak, sugar loaf, pike, aiguille, spire, pyramid, steeple, beard, chevaux de frise, porcupine, hedgehog, brier, bramble, thistle, comb, awn, beggar's lice, bur, burr, catchweed, cleavers, clivers, goose, grass, hairif, hariff, flax comb, hackle, hatchel, heckle, wedge, knife edge, cutting edge, blade, edge tool, cutlery, knife, penknife, whittle, razor, razor blade, safety razor, straight razor, electric razor, scalpel, bistoury, lancet, plowshare, coulter, colter, hatchet, ax, pickax, mattock, pick, adze, gill, billhook, cleaver, cutter, scythe, sickle, scissors, shears, pruning shears, cutters, wire cutters, nail clipper, paper cutter, sword, bodkin, belduque, bowie knife, paring knife, bushwhacker, drawing knife, drawing shave, microtome, chisel, screwdriver blade, flint blade, guillotine, sharpener, hone, strop, grindstone, whetstone, novaculite, steel, emery, sharp, keen, acute, acicular, aciform, aculeated, acuminated, pointed, tapering, conical, pyramidal, mucronate, mucronated, spindle shaped, needle shaped, spiked, spiky, ensiform, peaked, salient, cusped, cuspidate, cuspidated, cornute, cornuted, cornicultate, prickly, spiny, spinous, spicular, thorny, bristling, muricated, pectinated, studded, thistly, briary, craggy, snaggy, digitated, two-edged, fusiform, dentiform, denticulated, toothed, odontoid, starlike, stellated, stelliform, sagittate, sagittiform, arrowheaded, arrowy, barbed, spurred, acinaciform, apiculate, apiculated, aristate, awned, awny, bearded, calamiform, cone-shaped, coniform, crestate, echinate, gladiate, lanceolate, lanciform, awl, awl-shaped, lance-shaped, awl- shaped, scimitar-shaped, sword-shaped, setarious, spinuliferous, subulate, tetrahedral, xiphoid, cutting, sharp edged, knife edged, sharp as a razor, keen as a razor, sharp as a needle, sharp as a tack, sharpened, set.

Food

VB eat, feed, fare, devour, swallow, take, gulp, bolt, snap, fall to, despatch, dispatch, discuss, take down, get down, gulp down, lay in, tuck in, lick, pick, peck, gormandize, bite, champ, munch, cranch, craunch, crunch, chew, masticate, nibble, gnaw, mumble, live on, feed upon, batten upon, fatten upon, feast upon, browse, graze, crop, regale, carouse, eat heartily, do justice to, play a good knife and fork, banquet, break bread, break one's fast, breakfast, lunch, dine, take tea, sup, drink in, drink up, drink one's fill, quaff, sip, sup, suck, suck up, lap, swig, swill, chugalug, tipple, empty one's glass, drain the cup, toss off, toss one's glass, wash down, crack a bottle, wet one's whistle, purvey.