elect

[ih-lekt]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR elect ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to choose or select by vote, as for an office: to elect a mayor.

to determine in favor of (a method, course of action, etc.).

to pick out; choose: First-year students may elect French, Spanish, or German.

Theology. (of God) to select for divine mercy or favor, especially for salvation.

verb (used without object)

to choose or select someone or something, as by voting.

adjective

selected, as for an office, but not yet inducted (usually used in combination following a noun): the governor-elect.

select or choice: an elect circle of artists.

Theology. chosen by God, especially for eternal life.

noun the elect,

a person or the persons chosen or worthy to be chosen.

Theology. a person or persons chosen by God, especially for favor or salvation.

Nearby words

Origin of elect

1250–1300; Middle English < Latin ēlēctus chosen (past participle of ēligere), equivalent to ē- e-¹ + leg- choose + -tus past participle suffix; see elite

Related formse·lec·tee

[ih-lek-tee] /ɪ lɛkˈti/, nounnon·e·lect, nounpre·e·lect, verb (used with object)re·e·lect, verb (used with object)

Synonym study

3. See choose.

elect.

or elec

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for elect

In a large society, there is just no way, no theoretical way, to choose, to elect, normal people.
Is It Time to Take a Chance on Random Representatives?|Michael Schulson|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“It takes a lot of Democrats to elect a Republican in one of these places,” said John McLaughlin, a Republican pollster.
Return of the Northeastern Republican|David Freedlander|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This year, it has 50 field organizers working to elect Malloy and progressive legislators.
Dan Malloy Is Progressives’ Dream Governor. So Why Isn’t He Winning?|David Freedlander|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Since then, it has served to elect Democrats who can only win if they roll up big margins among women.
Dems Desperately Seeking the Gender Gap|Eleanor Clift|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

To make this happen, we have to elect legislators who are willing to stand up to the gun lobby.
Use Your Vote to Take Stand Against Domestic Violence|Shannon Watts|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile Mr. Krone, with an imprecation, declares he has power to elect his candidate to the Senate.
An Outcast|F. Colburn Adams
And most often whilst society dines or dances and the elect applaud with languid grace the newest play by Mr. Bernard Shaw.
The Heart of a Woman|Emmuska Orczy, Baroness Orczy
They met once a year in a recognised civic assembly to elect four Syndics to be their rulers and representatives.
A History of the Reformation (Vol. 2 of 2)|Thomas M. Lindsay
It had seemed just as well to these members to elect themselves as anybody else.
In a Little Town|Rupert Hughes
Only a few days before she had resigned all hope of even going, but through the magic of Grace Harlowe she was among the elect.
Grace Harlowe's First Year at Overton College|Jessie Graham Flower

British Dictionary definitions for elect

elect

verb

(tr) to choose (someone) to be (a representative or a public official) by votingthey elected him Mayor

to select; chooseto elect to die rather than surrender

(tr) (of God) to select or predestine for the grace of salvation

adjective

(immediately postpositive) voted into office but not yet installedthe president elect

chosen or choice; selected or elite
(as collective noun; preceded by the)the elect

Christianity

selected or predestined by God to receive salvation; chosen
(as collective noun; preceded by the)the elect

Derived Formselectable, adjectiveelectability, noun

Word Origin for elect

C15: from Latin ēligere to select, from legere to choose

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for elect

elect

early 15c., from Latin electus, past participle of eligere "to pick out, choose" (see election). Related: Elected; electing.

elect

adj.

early 15c., from Latin electus, past participle of eligere (see election).

elect

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

adjective

noun the elect,

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RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of elect

Synonym study

elect.

or elec

Examples from the Web for elect

elect

verb

adjective

Word Origin for elect

elect

elect