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elect

Pronunciation: /ɪˈlɛkt/

Translate elect | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of elect

verb

  • 1 [with object] choose (someone) to hold public office or some other position by voting:he was elected as councillor the members who were elected to the committee [with object and complement]:they elected him leader
  • Christian Theology (of God) choose (someone) in preference to others for salvation.
  • 2 [with infinitive] opt for or choose to do something:more people elected to work at home

adjective

(usually as plural noun the elect)
  • (of a person) chosen or singled out:one of the century’s elect
  • Christian Theology chosen by God for salvation: success was a sign that they were one of the elect the elect group of saints which was predestined for heaven
  • [postpositive] chosen for a position but not yet in office:the President-Elect

Derivatives

electability

noun

electable

adjective

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin elect- 'picked out', from the verb eligere, from e- (variant of ex-) 'out' + legere 'to pick'

Spelling help

The ending of electable is spelled -able.

elect in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of elect in the US English dictionary

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