Search for: Choice

4261 Etymology dictionary, p. nerve-racking (adj.).2

… better choice as a figure of speech, but the sense of wrack (v.), though less suitable in the image, is not obviously wrong.

4262 Etymology dictionary, p. odd (adj.).3

… , rare, choice"). An odd job "casual, disconnected piece of work" (1728) is so called from notion of "not regular." Odd lot "incomplete or random set" is from 1897. The international …

4263 Etymology dictionary, p. optional (adj.).2

"depending on preference," hence "that may be done or not done according to one's choice," 1765, from option + -al (1).

4264 Etymology dictionary, p. option (n.).2

… optio ) "choice, free choice, liberty to choose," from optare "to desire, pray for, choose," which is of uncertain origin. De Vaan derives it from Proto-Italic *opeje …

4265 Etymology dictionary, p. or (conj.).3

… with "choice between alternative" words that ended thus (such as either, whether ); then it was reduced to oþþr, at first in unstressed positions (commonly thus …

4266 Etymology dictionary, p. ordnance (n.).3

… natural choice, gunners being thoroughly trained in surveying ranges and distances).

4267 Etymology dictionary, p. pansexual (adj.).2

… sexual choice" is attested by 1972. Related: Pansexuality .

4268 Etymology dictionary, p. pick (n.2).2

… , first choice" is by 1772, hence "choicest part or example" (by 1858). Meaning "instrument for picking locks" is by 1890.

4269 Etymology dictionary, p. porter-house (n.).2

… a choice cut of beef between the sirloin and the tenderloin (1841) is said to be from a particular establishment in New York City.

4270 Etymology dictionary, p. pre-election (n.).2

1580s, "choice of one person or thing in preference to others," from pre- + election or else from Medieval Latin praeelectionem .

4271 Etymology dictionary, p. preference (n.).2

… of choice" is from 1852.

4272 Etymology dictionary, p. prerogative (n.).2

… , previous choice or election, privilege."

4273 Etymology dictionary, p. pro-choice (adj.).1

pro-choice (adj.)

4274 Etymology dictionary, p. pro-choice (adj.).2

"favoring a right to abortion," 1975, from pro- + choice (n.).

4275 Etymology dictionary, p. pro-life (adj.).2

"opposed to abortion," attested by 1976, from pro- + life. Used earlier in a more general sense of "enhancing life." Hostile alternative anti-choice is attested by 1978 in Ms. magazine (compare pro-choice ).

4276 Etymology dictionary, p. protest (n.).4

… the choice of candidates or the current system," is by 1905 (in reference to Socialist Party candidates).

4277 Etymology dictionary, p. radar (n.).2

"electronic system for locating and tracking objects at a distance by means of radio waves," 1941, acronym (more or less) from radio detecting and ranging. The U.S. choice, it won out over British radiolocation. Figurative from 1950.

4278 Etymology dictionary, p. refusal (n.).2

… of "choice of refusing or taking," as in right of first refusal, is by 1570s. The earlier noun was simply refuse (late 14c., from Old French refus ), which was common …

4279 Etymology dictionary, p. scientific (adj.).4

… purists' choice for an adjective based on science. Scientic (1540s) and scient ("learned" late 15c.) also have been used. Scientistic (1878), however, is depreciative …

4280 Etymology dictionary, p. select (adj.).3

"Carefully picked," hence "choice, of special excellence" (by 1580s). Related: Selectly; selectness. The noun meaning "a selected person or thing, that which is choice" is recorded from c. 1600.