choice English · revision 3405

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1300|origins=gem-pro *kausijaną}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /tʃɔɪs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|chois]], [[bor|fro|chois|t=one's choice]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) from [[m|fro|choisir|t=to choose; to discern, perceive]],^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from Vulgar Latin *causīre,^(AHD 2000)^(Hoad 1986) of Germanic origin:^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) Barnhart, Klein and Merriam-Webster compare Gothic [[m|got|𐌺𐌰𐌿𐍃𐌾𐌰𐌽|tr=kausjan|t=to test, examine]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024) The Germanic base is that of [[choose]],^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004) Old English [[m|ang|cēosan|t=to choose, taste]], from [[ine-pro|*ǵews-|alt=*geus-|t=to taste; to choose]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) ''Choice'' replaced the native Old English [[m|ang|cyre|t=choice, free will]], from the same base, probably because the French word sounded closer to ''choose''.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) The adjective is from the noun.^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The act of choosing: 1297^(OED 1989) or about 1300,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) and the power of choosing, before 1300^(OED 1989) or the early 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The thing or person chosen is from the late 14th century.^(Etymonline) Something chosen for its excellence, the best part, is from 1494,^(OED 1989) and a variety to choose among from 1486.^(OED 1989) The adjective, “worthy to be chosen, excellent”, is from the mid-14th century,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the Shakespearean ''choice spirit'' from 1591.^(OED 1989) ''Hobson's choice'', the option of taking the one thing offered or nothing, is from 1660.^(OED 1989) In the United States, ''choice'' is a government grade of meat above ''good'' and below ''prime''.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1297 – the act of choosing.^(OED 1989)

+ * before 1300 – the power of choosing.^(OED 1989)

+ * mid-14th century – adjective, excellent.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * late 14th century – the thing chosen.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1486 – a variety to choose from.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1494 – the best part.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1660 – ''Hobson's choice''.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of choosing; [[selection]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # The power or right to choose; an [[option]].^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # The person or thing chosen.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A range of things to choose from.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # The best part.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of very fine quality; [[select]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Carefully chosen: ''choice words''.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[choicely]]

+ * [[choiceness]]

+ * [[choiceless]]

+ * [[anti-choice]]

+ * [[multiple-choice]]

+ * [[prechoice]]

+ * [[pro-choice]]

+ * [[sailor's-choice]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[choose]]

+ * [[chosen]]

+ * [[choosy]]

+ * [[gusto]]

+ * [[degustation]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary compares ''choice'' with ''alternative'', ''option'', ''preference'', ''selection'' and ''election''.^(AHD) Word Origins notes that ''choose'', brought by the Anglo-Saxons, and ''choice'', which came through French from the same Germanic root, illustrate the mixture of the two sources of English.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}