Op"tion (?), n. [L. optio; akin to optare to choose, wish, optimus best, and perh. to E. apt: cf. F. option.]
1.
The power of choosing; the right of choice or election; an alternative.
There is an option left to the United States of America, whether they will be respectable and prosperous, or contemptible and miserable, as a nation.
Washington.
2.
The exercise of the power of choice; choice.
Transplantation must proceed from the option of the people, else it sounds like an exile.
Bacon.
3.
A wishing; a wish.
[Obs.]
Bp. Hall.
4. Ch. of Eng.
A right formerly belonging to an archbishop to select any one dignity or benefice in the gift of a suffragan bishop consecrated or confirmed by him, for bestowal by himself when next vacant; -- annulled by Parliament in 1845.
5. Stock Exchange
A stipulated privilege, given to a party in a time contract, of demanding its fulfillment on any day within a specified limit.
Buyer's option, an option allowed to one who contracts to buy stocks at a certain future date and at a certain price, to demand the delivery of the stock (giving one day's notice) at any previous time at the market price. -- Seller's option, an option allowed to one who contracts to deliver stock art a certain price on a certain future date, to deliver it (giving one day's notice) at any previous time at the market price. Such options are privileges for which a consideration is paid. -- Local option. See under Local.
Syn. -- Choice; preference; selection. -- Option, Choice. Choice is an act of choosing; option often means liberty to choose, and implies freedom from constraint in the act of choosing.
© Webster 1913.