E*lec"tion (?), n. [F. 'election, L. electio, fr. eligere to choose out. See Elect, a.]

1.

The act of choosing; choice; selection.

2.

The act of choosing a person to fill an office, or to membership in a society, as by ballot, uplifted hands, or viva voce; as, the election of a president or a mayor.

Corruption in elections is the great enemy of freedom. J. Adams.

3.

Power of choosing; free will; liberty to choose or act.

"By his own election led to ill."

Daniel.

4.

Discriminating choice; discernment.

[Obs.]

To use men with much difference and election is good. Bacon.

5. Theol.

Divine choice; predestination of individuals as objects of mercy and salvation; -- one of the "five points" of Calvinism.

There is a remnant according to the election of grace. Rom. xi. 5.

6. Law

The choice, made by a party, of two alternatives, by taking one of which, the chooser is excluded from the other.

7.

Those who are elected.

[Obs.]

The election hath obtained it. Rom. xi. 7.

To contest an election. See under Contest. -- To make one's election, to choose.

He has made his election to walk, in the main, in the old paths. Fitzed. Hall.

 

© Webster 1913.