Search for: Choice
4501 Etymology dictionary, p. lot (n.).4
Meaning "choice resulting from the casting of lots" first attested c. 1200. Meaning "share or portion of life" in any way, "that which is given by fate, God or destiny …
4502 Etymology dictionary, p. luxury (n.).3
… is choice or costly" is from 1630s; that of "sumptuous surroundings" is from 1704; that of "something choice or comfortable beyond life's necessities" is from …
4503 Etymology dictionary, p. Martini (n.).4
… bartender's choice of Italian or French vermouth. An 1887 article about fashionable New York cocktails declares "...now they are coquetting with a subtle …
4504 Etymology dictionary, p. mohair (n.).2
… "selected, choice," from mu-, noun prefix, + khayar "choosing, preferring." The stuff was imported to Europe 14c.-15c. under the name camlet. Later used of imitations …
4505 Etymology dictionary, p. multiple (adj.).3
… . Multiple choice in reference to a question in which the subject selects an answer from several options is attested by 1915. Multiple exposure "repeated …
4506 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.
4507 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 …
4508 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).
4509 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 …
4510 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 …
4511 Etymology dictionary, p. ordnance (n.).3
… natural choice, gunners being thoroughly trained in surveying ranges and distances).
4512 Etymology dictionary, p. pansexual (adj.).2
… sexual choice" is attested by 1972. Related: Pansexuality .
4513 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.
4514 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.
4515 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 .
4516 Etymology dictionary, p. preference (n.).2
… of choice" is from 1852.
4517 Etymology dictionary, p. prerogative (n.).2
… , previous choice or election, privilege."
4518 Etymology dictionary, p. pro-choice (adj.).1
pro-choice (adj.)
4519 Etymology dictionary, p. pro-choice (adj.).2
"favoring a right to abortion," 1975, from pro- + choice (n.).
4520 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 ).