elect
UK[ɪˈlɛkt]US[ɪˈlɛkt]
v
To choose someone for a position by voting.
v
To make a choice or decision.
adj
Chosen for a position but not yet in office.
Morpheme Breakdown
e
lect
e
out
lect
choose
Etymology
The word 'elect' originates from the Latin verb 'eligere', meaning 'to pick out, to choose'. This Latin term is itself a compound of the prefix 'e-' (a variant of 'ex-', meaning 'out') and the verb 'legere' (meaning 'to gather, to pick, to read'). The past participle stem 'elect-' of 'eligere' was borrowed into English via Anglo-Norman and Old French. The core semantic logic has remained remarkably consistent: the act of selecting or choosing someone or something out from a group. This literal sense of 'choosing out' evolved specifically into the modern democratic concept of choosing a representative by a formal vote.
Analysis
Structure: e (out) + lect (choose)
- e: A prefix of Latin origin, a variant of 'ex-', meaning 'out'.
- lect: A root of Latin origin, from the past participle stem 'lect-' of the verb 'legere', meaning 'to choose, to gather, to read'.
Examples
The council will elect a new chairperson next week.
He elected to take an early retirement.
The president-elect will assume office in January.