First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1elect
adjective \i-ˈlekt\
: having been elected : chosen for a public office but not yet holding that office
Full Definition of ELECT
1
: carefully selected : chosen
2
: chosen for salvation through divine mercy
3
a : chosen for office or position but not yet installed <the president-elect> b : chosen for marriage at some future time <the bride-elect>
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Origin of ELECT
Middle English, from Latin electus, past participle of eligere to select, from e- + legere to choose — more at legend
Related to ELECT
- Synonyms
- cherry-picked, choice, chosen, select, favored, favorite, first-line, handpicked, picked, preferred, selected
Rhymes with ELECT
abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, reject, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked
2elect
noun
: people who belong to a special group and have privileges that other people do not have
plural elect
Full Definition of ELECT
1
: one chosen or set apart (as by divine favor)
2
plural : a select or exclusive group of people
See elect defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ELECT
15th century
Related to ELECT
- Synonyms
- A-list, aristocracy, best, choice, corps d'elite, cream, crème de la crème, elite, fat, flower, illuminati, pick, pink, pride, priesthood, prime, royalty, upper crust
3elect
verb
: to select (someone) for a position, job, etc., by voting
: to choose to do (something)
Full Definition of ELECT
transitive verb
1
: to select by vote for an office, position, or membership <elected her class president>
2
: to make a selection of <will elect an academic program>
3
: to choose (as a course of action) especially by preference <might elect to sell the business>
intransitive verb
: to make a selection
See elect defined for English-language learners
Origin of ELECT
Middle English, from Latin electus
First Known Use: 15th century
ELECT Defined for Kids
1elect
verb \i-ˈlekt\
elect·edelect·ing
Definition of ELECT for Kids
1
: to select by vote <elect a senator>
2
: to make a choice <The team elected to kick off.>
2elect
adjective
Definition of ELECT for Kids
: chosen for office but not yet holding office <the president-elect>
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