An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

To choose from among several.

Etymology (EN): From L. selectus, p.p. of seligere “to choose out, gather apart,” from se- “apart” + legere “to gather, select.”

Etymology (PE): Gozidan “to select, choose;” Mid.Pers. vicitan, wizidan, wizin- “to choose, select, discriminate,” related to cin-, cidan “to gather, collect;” Av. vicidāi- “to discern,” viciθa- “separation, discernment;” from vi- “apart, away from” (O.Pers. viy- “apart, away;” cf. Skt. vi- “apart, asunder, away, out;” L. vitare “to avoid, turn aside”)

• kay- “to choose;” cf. Skt. ci- “to gather, heap up,” cinoti “gathers.”