elect — English Dictionary

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.

   Examples

   Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth.

   Shall not God avenge his won elect?

Verb

1. To choose or make a decision (to do something).

   Usage

   • Transitive

2. (Of a group) to officially select one or more candidates in an election to hold office.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   President Obama in a speech this past week said that we should solve the nation's bee problem. Oh, God, we elected a guy who sympathizes with bees?

Adjective

1. Who has been elected in a specified post, but has not yet entered office.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • postpositional

   Examples

   He is the President elect.

   More examples (1)

   She began almost to feel a dislike of Edward; and it ended, as every feeling must end with her, by carrying back her thoughts to Willoughby, whose manners formed a contrast sufficiently striking to those of his brother elect.

2. Chosen; taken by preference from among two or more.

   Usage

   • not-comparable

   Examples

   colours quaint elect

   the elect angels

Adjective

1. selected as the best

   Synonyms

   elite

   Examples

   an elect circle of artists

   elite colleges

2. elected but not yet installed in office

   Examples

   the president elect

Noun

1. an exclusive group of people

   Synonyms

   chosen

   Broader terms

   eliteelite group

   Examples

   one of the elect who have power inside the government

Verb

1. select by a vote for an office or membership

   Broader terms

   choosetakeselectpick out

   Examples

   We elected him chairman of the board

2. choose

   Broader terms

   choosetakeselectpick out

   Examples

   I elected to have my funds deposited automatically