E-lĕc'tion, n.
n. [Lat. electio, from eligere; Fr. élection, Pr. electio, election, Sp. eleccion, It. elezione.]
Sense 1. The act of choosing; choice; the act of selecting one or more from others.
Sense 2. The act of choosing a person to fill an office or employment, by any manifestation of preference, as by ballot, uplifted hands, or viva voce; as, the election of a president or a mayor.
Corruption in elections is the great enemy of freedom. J. Adams.
Sense 3. Power of choosing or selecting; free will; liberty to choose or act. “By his own election led to ill.” Daniel.
Sense 4. Careful or discriminating choice; discernment. To use men with much difference and election is good. Bacon.
Sense 5. (Theol.) Divine choice; predetermination of individuals as objects of mercy and salvation.
There is a remnant according to the election of grace. Rom. xi. 5.
Sense 6. Those who are elected.
The election hath obtained it. Rom. xi. 7.