Word Study
Select
CIDE DICTIONARY
Select, a. [L. selectus, p. p. of seligere to select; pref. se- aside + levere to gather. See Legend.].
Taken from a number by preferance; picked out as more valuable or exellent than others; of special value or exellence; nicely chosen; selected; choice. [1913 Webster]
"A few select spirits had separated from the crowd, and formed a fit audience round a far greater teacher." [1913 Webster]
Select, v. t.
To choose and take from a number; to take by preference from among others; to pick out; to cull; as, to select the best authors for perusal. Milton. [1913 Webster]
"The pious chief . . .
A hundred youths from all his train selects." [1913 Webster]
A hundred youths from all his train selects." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Select, v. & adj.
--v.tr. choose, esp. as the best or most suitable.
--adj.
1 chosen for excellence or suitability; choice.
2 (of a society etc.) exclusive, cautious in admitting members.
--v.tr. choose, esp. as the best or most suitable.
--adj.
1 chosen for excellence or suitability; choice.
2 (of a society etc.) exclusive, cautious in admitting members.
Idiom
select committee see COMMITTEE.
Derivative
selectable adj. selectness n.
Etymology
L seligere select- (as SE-, legere choose)
THESAURUS
Select
accepted, adopted, advert to, allude to, analyze, appoint, appointed, approved, assign, be taken as, best, better, carried, champion, choice, choose, choose out, chosen, clannish, cliquish, closed, contradistinguish, cream, cull, dainty, decide between, delicate, demarcate, demark, denominate, denote, designate, designated, determine, differentiate, discriminate, discriminating, distinguish, divide, draw the line, elect, elected, elected by acclamation, elegant, elite, emblematize, embraced, espoused, ethnocentric, excellent, exceptional, excerpt, excluding, exclusive, exclusory, exquisite, extract, fat, favored, favorite, figure, fine, finest, finger, first-class, first-rate, fix, flower, for the best, glean, greatest, handpick, handpicked, inadmissible, indicate, insular, limited, make a selection, mark, mark the interface, matchless, mention, name, named, narrow, nominate, nominated, nonesuch, nonpareil, opt for, optimal, optimum, ordain, ordinate, paragon, paramount, parochial, passed, peerless, pick, pick out, picked, pin down, point at, point out, point to, preclusive, prefer, preferable, preferred, prescriptive, preventive, prime, privileged, prize, prohibitive, queen, quintessence, quintessential, rare, ratified, recherche, refer to, restricted, restrictive, screen, screen out, screened, seclusive, segregate, segregative, selected, selective, separate, separative, set, set a limit, set apart, set off, sever, severalize, sieve, sieve out, sift, sift out, signify, single out, snobbish, snobby, sort, sort out, special, specialize, specify, split hairs, stand for, state, stigmatize, stipulate, subdivide, subtilize, superior, superlative, supreme, surpassing, symbol, symbolize, tab, take, the best, the best ever, the tops, the very best, top, typify, unanimously elected, unmatchable, unmatched, unparalleled, unsurpassed, very best, winnow, xenophobicROGET THESAURUS
Select
Choice
VB offers one's choice, set before, hold out the alternative, present the alternative, offer the alternative, put to the vote, use option, use discretion, exercise option, exercise discretion, one's option, adopt, take up, embrace, espouse, choose, elect, opt for, take one's choice, make one's choice, make choice of, fix upon, vote, poll, hold up one's hand, divide, settle, decide, list, make up one's mind, select, pick and choose, pick out, single out, cull, glean, winnow, sift the chaff from the wheat, separate the chaff from the wheat, winnow the chaff from the wheat, pick up, pitch upon, pick one's way, indulge one's fancy, set apart, mark out for, mark, prefer, have rather, have as lief, fancy, be persuaded, take a decided step, take a decisive step, commit oneself to a course, pass the Rubicon, cross the Rubicon, cast in one's lot with, take for better or for worse.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.Speciality
VB specify, particularize, individualize, realize, specialize, designate, determine, denote, indicate, point out, select, descend to particulars, enter into detail, go into detail, come to the point.For further exploring for "Select" in Webster Dictionary Online