Choice1, n.
(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.]
Sense 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.
Sense 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.
Sense 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.
Sense 4. The thing chosen; that which is approved and selected in preference to others; selection.
The commonwealth is sick of their own choice. Shak.
Sense 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.