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pick1 definition

pick (pik)

transitive verb

Weaving to throw (a shuttle)

Etymology: ME pykken, var. of picchen, to pitch

noun

  1. one passage or throw of the shuttle of a loom
  2. one of the weft threads, or filling yarns
pick2 definition

pick (pik)

noun

  1. a heavy tool used as in breaking up soil or rock: the metal head is long, narrow, and slightly curved, and pointed at one or both ends, with a wooden handle fitted into its center
  2. any of several pointed tools or instruments for picking: usually in combination toothpick
  3. plectrum
    1. a slender, plastic pin used to hold hair rollers in place
    2. ☆ a comb with widely spaced teeth, used for fine, curly hair

Etymology: ME pike < OE pic, pike

pick3 definition

pick (pik)

transitive verb

  1. to break up, pierce, or dig up (soil, rock, etc.) with something sharply pointed; use a pick on
  2. to make or form (a hole) with something pointed
    1. to dig, probe, or scratch at with the fingers or with something pointed in an attempt to remove
    2. to clear something from (the teeth) in this way
  4. to remove by pulling as with the fingers; specif., to pluck or gather (flowers, berries, etc.)
  5. to clear (something) in this way; specif.,
    1. to prepare (a fowl) by removing the feathers
    2. to remove the fruit from (a tree, orchard, etc.)
    1. to take up (food, etc.) in small pieces, as a bird with its bill; peck
    2. to eat sparingly or daintily
  7. to pull (fibers, rags, etc.) apart
  8. to choose; select; cull
  9. to look for and find excuse or occasion for (a quarrel or fight)
  10. to look for purposefully and find to pick flaws
  11. ☆
    1. to pluck (the strings on a guitar, banjo, etc.)
    2. to play (a guitar, banjo, etc.) in this way
  12. to open (a lock) as with a wire instead of a key, esp. in a stealthy manner
  13. to steal from (another's pocket, purse, etc.)

Etymology: ME picken, akin to MDu picken, pecken, ON pikka; prob. infl. by OFr piquer, to pierce < pic, pike

intransitive verb

  1. to eat sparingly or fussily
  2. to thieve or pilfer
  3. to use a pick
  4. to gather growing berries, flowers, etc.
  5. to be picked grapes pick easily
  6. to select or choose, esp. in a careful or fussy manner
  7. ☆ to play the guitar, banjo, etc.

noun

  1. the act of picking; stroke or blow with something pointed
    1. the act or right of choosing
    2. the person or thing chosen; choice
  3. the best or most desirable one or ones
  4. the amount of a crop picked at one time
  5. ☆ Basketball screen ()
pick Idioms

pick and choose

to choose or select carefully

pick apart

or pick to pieces
  1. to separate or tear into many parts
  2. to find flaws in by examining critically

pick at

  1. to eat small portions of, esp. in a dainty or fussy manner
  2. Informal to nag at; find fault with
  3. to toy or meddle with; finger

pick off

  1. to remove by picking or plucking
  2. to hit with a carefully aimed shot
  3. ☆ Baseball to throw out (a base runner taking a lead) by means of a throw from the pitcher or catcher before or after a pitch

pick on

  1. to choose; select
  2. Informal to single out as for abuse or criticism; annoy; tease

pick one's way

to progress slowly, choosing each move with care

pick out

  1. to choose; select
  2. to single out from or recognize among a group; distinguish
  3. to make out (meaning or sense)
  4. to play (a tune) note by note, as on a piano

pick over

to examine (a number of things) item by item; sort out

pick up

  1. to grasp and raise or lift; take up
  2. to get, gain, find, or learn, esp. by chance or in a casual manner
  3. to stop for and take or bring along
  4. to take into custody; arrest
  5. to accelerate; gain (speed)
  6. to regain (health, power, efficiency, etc.); improve
  7. to resume (an activity) after a pause
    1. to see, hear, discern, etc.
    2. to receive or be in range to receive (a radio or TV transmission, esp. a distant or weak one)
    1. to find and travel along (a route or trail)
    2. to find and follow the dog picked up the scent
  10. ☆ to make neat; tidy up
  11. to take (a bill) with the intention of paying it
  12. Informal to become acquainted with casually or informally, often with hope of sexual activity

pick up on

☆ Informal
  1. to become aware of, understand, appreciate, etc.
  2. to start to do or use

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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