First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1pick
verb \ˈpik\
Definition of PICK
transitive verb
1
: to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument <picked the hard clay>
2
a : to remove bit by bit <pick meat from bones> b : to remove covering or adhering matter from <pick the bones>
3
4
5
: provoke <pick a quarrel>
6
a : to dig into : probe <picking his teeth> b : to pluck (as a guitar) with a pick or with the fingers c : to loosen or pull apart with a sharp point <pick wool>
7
: to unlock with a device (as a wire) other than the key <pick a lock>
intransitive verb
1
: to use or work with a pick
2
: to gather or harvest something by plucking
3
: pilfer —used in the phrase picking and stealing
4
: to eat sparingly or mincingly <picking listlessly at his dinner>
— pick and choose
: to select with care and deliberation
— pick at
: to criticize repeatedly especially for minor faults : nag
— pick on
: to single out for criticism, teasing, or bullying <picked on smaller boys>; also : to single out for a particular purpose or for special attention
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Origin of PICK
Middle English piken, partly from Old English *pīcian (akin to Middle Dutch picken to prick); partly from Middle French piquer to prick — more at pike
2pick
noun
Definition of PICK
1
: a blow or stroke with a pointed instrument
2
3
: the portion of a crop gathered at one time <the first pick of peaches>
4
: a screen in basketball
First Known Use of PICK
15th century
3pick
noun
Definition of PICK
1
: a heavy wooden-handled iron or steel tool pointed at one or both ends — compare mattock
2
3
: one of the points on the forepart of the blade of a skate used in figure skating
4
: a comb with long widely spaced teeth used to give height to a hairstyle
Illustration of PICK
Origin of PICK
Middle English pik
First Known Use: 14th century
4pick
verb
Definition of PICK
transitive verb
1
chiefly dialect : to throw or thrust with effort : hurl
2
: to throw (a shuttle) across the loom
Origin of PICK
Middle English pykken to pitch (a tent); akin to Middle English picchen to pitch
First Known Use: 1523
5pick
noun
Definition of PICK
1
dial English a : the act of pitching or throwing b : something thrown
2
a : a throw of the shuttle b : a filling thread
First Known Use of PICK
1627
PICK Defined for Kids
1pick
verb \ˈpik\
pickedpick·ing
Definition of PICK for Kids
1
: to gather one by one <Pick your own strawberries.>
2
: to remove bit by bit <I picked the pepperoni off my pizza.>
3
: to remove unwanted material from between or inside <He picked his teeth.>
5
: to walk along slowly and carefully <Picking our way through debris, we crossed the tracks … — Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder>
6
: to eat sparingly or in a finicky manner <She picked at her dinner.>
7
: to steal from <pick a pocket>
8
: to start (a fight) with someone deliberately
9
: to pluck with the fingers or with a pick <pick a banjo>
10
: to unlock without a key <pick a lock>
— pick·er noun
— pick on
: to single out for mean treatment
— pick up
1
: to take hold of and lift <She picked the book up.>
2
: to clean up : tidy <Pick up your room.>
3
: to stop for and take along <The bus picked up passengers.>
4
: learn 1 <Readers often pick up new words from their reading.>
5
: to get without great effort or by chance <He picked up a bad habit.>
6
: to get by buying <pick up a bargain>
7
: to begin again after a temporary stop <Let's pick up our discussion tomorrow.>
8
: to bring within range of hearing <My radio picks up foreign broadcasts.>
9
: to gain or get back speed or strength <The wind is picking up.>
2pick
noun
Definition of PICK for Kids
1
: a heavy tool with a wooden handle and a blade pointed at one or both ends for loosening or breaking up soil or rock
2
: a slender pointed instrument <ice pick>
3
: a thin piece of metal or plastic used to pluck the strings of a musical instrument
4
: the act or opportunity of choosing <I had my pick of flavors.>
5
: 1choice 3 <Who's your pick to win?>
6
: the best ones <the pick of the crop>
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