Etymology : Middle English chosen, from Old English cEosan; akin to Old High German kiosan to choose, Latin gustare to taste
Pronunciation : chüz
Function : verb
Date : before 12th century
1. select, prefer, pick, make a choice. choose\choose\, v. i.
2. to make a selection; to decide. they had only to choose between implicit obedience and open rebellion.
3. to do otherwise. "can i choose but smile?".
4. To make choice of; to select; to take by way of preference from two or more objects offered; to elect; as, to choose the least of two evils.
5. To wish; to desire; to prefer.
6. To make a selection; to decide.
7. To do otherwise. pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives; "Take any one of these cards"; "Choose a good husband for your daughter"; "She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her" select as an alternative; choose instead; prefer as an alternative; "I always choose the fish over the meat courses in this restaurant"; "She opted for the job on the East coast" see:
fit or proper to act in a certain way; decide to act in a certain way; "She chose not to attend classes and now she failed the exam".
8. 1. If you choose someone or something from several people or things that are available, you decide which person or thing you want to have. They will be able to choose their own leaders in democratic elections This week he has chosen Peter Mandelson to replace Mo Mowlam There are several patchwork cushions to choose from Houston was chosen as the site for the convention He did well in his chosen profession. = select.
9. If you choose to do something, you do it because you want to or because you feel that it is right. They knew that discrimination was going on, but chose to ignore it You can just take out the interest each year, if you choose.
10. If there is little to choose between people or things or nothing to choose between them, it is difficult to decide which is better or more suitable. There is very little to choose between the world's top tennis players.
11. The chosen few are a small group who are treated better than other people. You sometimes use this expression when you think this is unfair. Learning should no longer be an elitist pastime for the chosen few. = elite.
12. to pick and choose: see:
pick.