preoption†; alternative; dilemma, embarras de choix [Fr.]; adoption,
cooptation†; novation†; decision &c (judgment) 480.
election; political election (politics) 737.1.
selection, excerption, gleaning, eclecticism; excerpta†, gleanings,
cuttings, scissors and paste; pick &c (best) 650.
preference, prelation†, opinion poll, survey; predilection &c
(desire) 865.
V. offers one's choice, set before; hold out the alternative, present
the alternative, offer the alternative; put to the vote.
use option, use discretion, exercise option, exercise discretion,
one's option; adopt, take up, embrace, espouse; choose, elect, opt for;
take one's choice, make one's choice; make choice of, fix upon.
vote, poll, hold up one's hand; divide.
settle; decide &c (adjudge) 480; list &c (will) 600; make up one's
mind &c (resolve) 604.
select; pick and choose; pick out, single out; cull, glean,
winnow; sift the chaff from the wheat, separate the chaff from the
wheat, winnow the chaff from the wheat; pick up, pitch upon; pick one's
way; indulge one's fancy.
set apart, mark out for; mark &c 550.
prefer; have rather, have as lief; fancy &c (desire) 865; be
persuaded &c 615.
take a decided step, take a decisive step; commit oneself to a
course; pass the Rubicon, cross the Rubicon; cast in one's lot with;
take for better or for worse.
Adj. optional; discretional &c (voluntary) 600.
eclectic; choosing &c v.; preferential; chosen &c v.; choice &c
(good) 648.
Adv. optionally &c adj.; at pleasure &c (will) 600; either the one or
the other; or at the option of; whether or not; once and for all; for
one's money.
by choice, by preference; in preference; rather, before.
609a. Absence of Choice — N. no choice, Hobson's choice; first come
first served, random selection; necessity &c 601; not a pin to choose
&c (equality) 27; any, the first that comes; that or nothing.
neutrality, indifference; indecision &c (irresolution) 605;
arbitrariness.
coercion (compulsion) 744.
V. be neutral &c adj.; have no choice, have no election; waive, not
vote; abstain from voting, refrain from voting; leave undecided; make a
virtue of necessity [Two Gentlemen].
Adj. neutral, neuter; indifferent, uninterested; undecided &c
(irresolute) 605.
Adv. either &c (choice) 609.
Phr. who cares?, what difference does it make?; There's not a dime's
worth of difference between them [George Wallace].