Choice

(66), n. [O. Eng. chois, choyse, from O. Fr. chois, cois, N. Fr. choix, from choisir, to choose, Pr. chausir, causir, O. It. causire, from Goth. kausjan, to examine, kiusan, to choose, to examine. Cf. CHOOSE.]

1Sense 1. The act of choosing; the voluntary act of selecting or separating from two or more things that which is preferred; the determination of the mind in preferring one thing to another; election.

Nature will instruct her in it, and compel her to some second choice. Shak.

2Sense 2. The power of choosing; option; preference.

Choice there is not, unless the thing which we take be so in our power that we might have refused it. Hooker.

3Sense 3. Care in selecting; judgment or skill in distinguishing what is to be preferred, and in giving a preference; discrimination.

I imagine they [the apothegms of Cæsar] were collected with judgment and choice. Bacon.

4Sense 4. The thing chosen; that which is approved and selected in preference to others; selection.

The commonwealth is sick of their own choice. Shak.

5Sense 5. The best part of any thing; that which is preferable. “The flower and choice of many provinces.” Milton.

To make choice of, to choose; to select; to separate and take in preference.

a. [compar. CHOICER; superl. CHOICEST.] 1. Worthy of being chosen or preferred; select; superior; precious.

My choicest hours of life are lost. Swift.

2Sense 2. Preserving or using with care, as valuable; frugal; as, to be choice of time, or of money.

3Sense 3. Selected with care, and due attention to preference; deliberately chosen. “Choice word and measured phrase.” Wordsworth.

Synonyms— Select; precious; costly; exquisite; uncommon; rare; sparing; frugal; chary; careful.