selectman
UK[sɪˈlɛktmən]US[səˈlɛktmən]
n
A town officer in parts of New England, elected annually to manage local affairs.
Morpheme Breakdown
select
man
select
chosen
man
a person holding a specific role
Etymology
The term 'selectman' is a uniquely American English formation, originating in the 17th century within the New England colonies. It is a transparent compound of the adjective 'select', meaning chosen or elected, and the noun 'man', referring to a person holding an office. The word directly reflects the colonial practice of electing a board of citizens from the community to administer town governance, distinguishing these officials as the "chosen men." This literal construction perfectly encapsulates the civic role, with its logic remaining immediately apparent in modern usage.
Analysis
Structure: select + man
- select: From Latin 'seligere' (to choose out, pick out), via its past participle 'selectus'. In this compound, it functions as an adjective meaning "chosen" or "elected".
- man: From Old English 'mann' (person, human being). In this compound, it functions as a noun meaning "a person holding a specific role".
Examples
The selectman called a town meeting to discuss the new budget.
He served as a selectman for his small Connecticut town for over a decade.
Residents brought their concerns about road maintenance to the board of selectmen.