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pick

35 ENTRIES FOUND:

1pick

verb \ˈpik\

Definition of PICK

transitive verb
1
: to pierce, penetrate, or break up with a pointed instrument <picked the hard clay>
2
a : to remove bit by bit <pick meat from bones> b : to remove covering or adhering matter from <pick the bones>
3
a : to gather by plucking <pick apples> b : choose, select <tried to pick the shortest route> c : to make (one's way) slowly and carefully <picked his way through the rubble>
4
a : pilfer, rob <pick pockets> b : to obtain useful information from by questioning —used in such phrases as pick the brains of
5
: provoke <pick a quarrel>
6
a : to dig into : probe <picking his teeth> b : to pluck (as a guitar) with a pick or with the fingers c : to loosen or pull apart with a sharp point <pick wool>
7
: to unlock with a device (as a wire) other than the key <pick a lock>
intransitive verb
1
: to use or work with a pick
2
: to gather or harvest something by plucking
3
: pilfer —used in the phrase picking and stealing
4
: to eat sparingly or mincingly <picking listlessly at his dinner>
pick and choose
: to select with care and deliberation
pick at
: to criticize repeatedly especially for minor faults : nag
pick on
: to single out for criticism, teasing, or bullying <picked on smaller boys>; also : to single out for a particular purpose or for special attention

Origin of PICK

Middle English piken, partly from Old English *pīcian (akin to Middle Dutch picken to prick); partly from Middle French piquer to prick — more at pike
First Known Use: 14th century

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