select

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se·lect / səˈlekt/ • v. [tr.] carefully choose as being the best or most suitable: students must select their own program | [tr.] he has been selected to take part | [intr.] you can select from a range of quality products. ∎  [intr.] (select for/against) Biol. (in terms of evolution) determine whether (a characteristic or organism) will survive: a phenotype can be selected against. ∎  use a mouse or keystrokes to mark (something) on a computer screen for a particular operation.• adj. (of a group of people or things) carefully chosen from a larger number as being the best or most valuable: he joined his select team of young Intelligence operatives. ∎  (of a place or group of people) only used by or consisting of a wealthy or sophisticated elite; exclusive: the opera was seen by a small and highly select audience.DERIVATIVES: se·lect·a·ble adj.se·lect·ness n.ORIGIN: mid 16th cent.: from Latin select- ‘chosen,’ from the verb seligere, from se- ‘apart’ + legere ‘choose.’

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