select Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
    pick out; choose; take.
    • Take any one of these cards
    • Choose a good husband for your daughter
    • She selected a pair of shoes from among the dozen the salesgirl had shown her
  2. adjective satellite of superior grade
    prime; quality; prize; choice.
    • choice wines
    • prime beef
    • prize carnations
    • quality paper
    • select peaches
  3. adjective satellite selected or chosen for special qualifications
    blue-ribbon.
    • the blue-ribbon event of the season

WordNet

Se*lect" adjective
Etymology
L. selectus, p. p. of seligere to select; pref. se- aside + levere to gather. See Legend.
Definitions
  1. Taken from a number by preferance; picked out as more valuable or exellent than others; of special value or exellence; nicely chosen; selected; choice.
    A few select spirits had separated from the crowd, and formed a fit audience round a far greater teacher. Macaulay.
Se*lect" transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Selected; present participle & verbal noun Selecting
Definitions
  1. To choose and take from a number; to take by preference from among others; to pick out; to cull; as, to select the best authors for perusal. "One peculiar nation to select." Milton.
    The pious chief . . . A hundred youths from all his train selects. Dryden.

Webster 1913