election English · revision 3371

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1270|origins=la legere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /iˈlek.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|eleccioun]], [[bor|xno|eleccioun]] and Old French elecion “choice, selection”,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|ēlēctiō|t=a choice, selection]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(Klein 1966) from ēlēctus, the past participle of [[m|la|ēligere|t=to pick out, choose]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|ex-|t=out]] and [[m|la|legere|t=to choose, gather]],^(Etymonline) from [[ine-pro|*leǵ-|alt=*leg-|t=to collect, gather]].^(Etymonline) In Late Latin ēlēctiō also meant God's choice of a person for salvation.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The formal choosing of a person for an office or position: about 1270^(OED 1989) or about 1300, both by one person and by a body of electors, and also the holding of a vote and its time and place.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Middle English ''election'' also meant choice in general, from about 1400,^(Etymonline) or 1393 in the OED.^(OED 1989) The theological sense, God's choosing of some for eternal life, is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) 1382 in the OED,^(OED 1989) and is especially associated with Calvinist predestination.^(AHD) The choice of members of a representative body by popular vote, as of the House of Commons, is from 1648.^(OED 1989) ''Electioneer'' is a derivative.^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1270 – choosing a person for an office.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1382 – God's choice of the saved.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1393 – choice in general.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1648 – a popular vote for a representative body.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The process of choosing a person for office by [[vote|alt=voting]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The fact of being elected.^(AHD)

+ # The right or power to choose.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(theology)'' God's choice of people for salvation; [[predestination]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[by-election]]

+ * [[electioneer]]

+ * [[nonelection]]

+ * [[postelection]]

+ * [[preelection]]

+ * [[reelection]]

+ * [[subelection]]

+ * [[election cake]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[elect]]

+ * [[elective]]

+ * [[elector]]

+ * [[electoral]]

+ * [[electorate]]

+ * [[eligible]]

+ * [[elite]]

+ * [[select]]

+ * [[collect]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}