choicest
UK[ˈtʃɔɪsɪst]US[ˈtʃɔɪsɪst]
adj
Of the highest quality; the best or most desirable of its kind.
Morpheme Breakdown
choice
est
choice
select, excellent
est
superlative suffix
Etymology
The word 'choicest' is a superlative adjective formed from the noun 'choice'. Its core, 'choice', entered English from Old French 'chois', which itself derived from the Frankish (a West Germanic language) verb 'kausjan', meaning 'to choose or test'. This Germanic root is related to Old English 'ceosan', also meaning 'to choose'. The suffix '-est' is the native English superlative marker, directly descended from the Proto-Germanic superlative ending '-istaz'. Therefore, 'choicest' literally means "most chosen," a concept that evolved from the simple act of selection to signify the highest quality, as the best items are those most often selected.
Analysis
Structure: choice (select, excellent) + est (superlative suffix)
- choice: From Middle English 'chois', from Old French 'chois', from the verb 'choisir' (to choose), of Germanic origin.
- est: A superlative suffix from Old English '-est', '-ost', '-ust', of Germanic origin.
Examples
The chef reserved the choicest cuts of meat for the special banquet.
Only the choicest students were invited to join the prestigious research program.
He picked the choicest location for his new home, with a stunning view of the valley.