pick

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