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elect

Pronunciation: /ɪˈlɛkt/

The English word “elect” has 6 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. One chosen or set apart.
  2. In Calvinist theology, one foreordained to Heaven. In other Christian theologies, someone chosen by God for salvation.

verb

  1. To choose or make a decision (to do something).
  2. (Of a group) to officially select one or more candidates in an election to hold office.

adjective

  1. Who has been elected in a specified post, but has not yet entered office.
  2. Chosen; taken by preference from among two or more.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin ēlēctus, past participle of ēligō (“to pick out, choose, elect”), from ē- (“out”) + legō (“to pick out, pick, gather, collect, etc.”); see legend. Cognate to eclectic, which is via Ancient Greek rather than Latin, hence prefix ἐκ (ek), rather than e- (from ex).

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