deselect
UK[ˌdiːsɪˈlɛkt]US[ˌdiːsəˈlɛkt]
v
To remove a previous selection from an item in a list, menu, or interface, typically by clicking or tapping on it again.
v
To reject or vote against a candidate in an election, especially in a political context where a candidate has been previously selected.
Morpheme Breakdown
de
select
de
reverse
select
choose
Etymology
The word "deselect" is a modern English formation, created by applying the reversative prefix "de-" to the established verb "select." The prefix "de-" originates from Latin, where it often indicated removal or reversal. The root "select" comes from the Latin verb 'seligere', meaning "to choose out," itself from 'se-' (apart) and 'legere' (to gather, choose). The compound "deselect" follows a logical and productive pattern in English, where "de-" is attached to verbs of action to create new verbs signifying the undoing of that action. Its primary usage emerged in the mid-20th century with the advent of computing interfaces, where users needed a term for the action of canceling a choice, and it was later adopted in political contexts to describe the process of removing a candidate's endorsement.
Analysis
Structure: de (reverse) + select (choose)
de: A Latin prefix meaning "down from, off, away, reversing or undoing an action." In this word, it functions as a reversative prefix.
select: From Latin 'selectus', meaning "chosen, picked out." It functions as the root verb meaning "to choose."
Examples
To remove an item from your cart, simply deselect the checkbox next to it.
The local party members voted to deselect the incumbent MP due to policy disagreements.
Hold down the Ctrl key and click to deselect individual files from the group.