choice

I. noun Etymology: Middle English chois, from Anglo-French, from choisir to choose, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German kiosan to choose — more at choose Date: 13th century 1. the act of choosing ; selection <

finding it hard to make a choice

> 2. power of choosing ; option <

you have no choice

> 3. a. the best part ; cream b. a person or thing chosen <

she was their first choice

> 4. a number and variety to choose among <

a plan with a wide choice of options

> 5. care in selecting 6. a grade of meat between prime and good Synonyms: choice, option, alternative, preference, selection, election mean the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen. choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely <

freedom of choice

>. option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed <

the option of paying now or later

>. alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility <

equally attractive alternatives

>. preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections <

a preference for cool weather

>. selection implies a range of choice <

a varied selection of furniture

>. election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment <

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

>. II. adjective (choicer; choicest) Date: 14th century 1. worthy of being chosen 2. selected with care 3. a. of high quality b. of a grade between prime and good <

choice meat

> • choicely adverb • choiceness noun Synonyms: choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste. choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind <

choice fabric

>. exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste <

an exquisite gold bracelet

>. elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste <

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

>. rare suggests an uncommon excellence <

rare beauty

>. delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility <

delicate craftsmanship

>. dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate <

dainty sandwiches

>.