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definitions

elect

[ih-lekt]
See more synonyms for elect on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to choose or select by vote, as for an office: to elect a mayor.
  2. to determine in favor of (a method, course of action, etc.).
  3. to pick out; choose: First-year students may elect French, Spanish, or German.
  4. Theology. (of God) to select for divine mercy or favor, especially for salvation.
verb (used without object)
  1. to choose or select someone or something, as by voting.
adjective
  1. selected, as for an office, but not yet inducted (usually used in combination following a noun): the governor-elect.
  2. select or choice: an elect circle of artists.
  3. Theology. chosen by God, especially for eternal life.
noun the elect,
  1. a person or the persons chosen or worthy to be chosen.
  2. Theology. a person or persons chosen by God, especially for favor or salvation.

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

  1. electric.
  2. electrical.
  3. electrician.
  4. electricity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for elect

appoint, resolve, name, conclude, receive, nominate, accept, admit, take, determine, pick, vote, designate, cull, tap, prefer, mark, settle, judge, ballot

Examples from the Web for elect

Contemporary Examples of elect

Historical Examples of elect

British Dictionary definitions for elect

elect

verb
  1. (tr) to choose (someone) to be (a representative or a public official) by votingthey elected him Mayor
  2. to select; chooseto elect to die rather than surrender
  3. (tr) (of God) to select or predestine for the grace of salvation
adjective
  1. (immediately postpositive) voted into office but not yet installedthe president elect
    1. chosen or choice; selected or elite
    2. (as collective noun; preceded by the)the elect
  3. Christianity
    1. selected or predestined by God to receive salvation; chosen
    2. (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
v.

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

adj.

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

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper