| PICK | | —v. - (also absol.) Choose carefully.
- detach or pluck (a flower, fruit, etc.) From a stem, tree, etc.
- a probe with the finger, an instrument, etc. To remove unwanted matter. B clear (a bone, carcass, etc.) Of scraps of meat etc.
- (also absol.) (of a person) eat (food, a meal, etc.) In small bits. —n. - act of picking.
- a selection, choice. B right to select (had first pick of the prizes).
- (usu. Foll. By of) best (the pick of the bunch). pick and choose select fastidiously. Pick at 1 eat (food) without interest.
- find fault with. Pick a person's brains extract ideas, information, etc., from a person for one's own use. Pick holes in find fault with (an idea etc.). Pick a lock open a lock with an instrument other than the proper key, esp. With criminal intent. Pick off 1 pluck (leaves etc.) Off.
- shoot (people etc.) One by one without haste. Pick on 1 find fault with; nag at.
- select. Pick out 1 take from a larger number.
- distinguish from surrounding objects; identify.
- play (a tune) by ear on the piano etc.
- (often foll. By in, with) accentuate (decoration, a painting, etc.) With a contrasting colour. Pick over select the best from. Pick a person's pockets steal from a person's pockets. Pick a quarrel start an argument deliberately. Pick to pieces = take to pieces (see *piece). Pick up 1 grasp and raise.
- a acquire by chance or without effort. B learn effortlessly.
- stop for and take along with one.
- become acquainted with (a person) casually, esp for sexual purposes.
- (of one's health, the weather, share prices, etc.) Recover, improve, etc.
- (of an engine etc.) Recover speed.
- (of the police etc.) Arrest.
- detect by scrutiny or with a telescope, radio, etc.
- accept the responsibility of paying (a bill etc.). 10 resume, take up anew (picked up where we left off). picker n. [from *pike]
- n. - long-handled tool with a usu. Curved iron bar pointed at one or both ends, used for breaking up hard ground etc.
- colloq. Plectrum.
- any instrument for picking. [from *pike] | |