selected
Meaning
Chosen from a larger group as being the best or most valuable.
Chosen for a particular purpose or duty.
Structure
Usage
Only a selected number of applicants will be invited for an interview.
The store offers a wide range of selected wines from around the world.
The team is comprised of selected experts in their respective fields.
Etymology
The word 'selected' is built upon the Latin verb 'sēligere', which itself is a compound of 'sē-' (apart) and 'legere' (to gather, choose). This root 'legere' is prolific, giving rise to many English words related to reading and choosing, such as 'lecture', 'collect', and 'intellect'. The past participle form 'sēlēctus' (meaning 'chosen out') was borrowed into English as the verb 'select'. The addition of the native English adjectival suffix '-ed' transforms the action into a descriptive state, resulting in the modern meaning of 'having been chosen from among others', often implying a process of discernment and preference.
Analysis
- select: From Latin 'sēlēctus', the past participle of 'sēligere' (to choose out, pick out). Functions as the core verb root. - ed: A productive English suffix of Old English origin, used to form adjectives from verbs, indicating a state or condition resulting from the action.