Electic

/ɪˈlɛktɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or involving careful selection or choice; selective in character.

Etymology

From Latin 'electicus,' derived from 'eligere' (to choose). This is an archaic variant that competed with 'eclectic,' but differs in that 'eclectic' emphasizes drawing from diverse sources while 'electic' emphasizes the act of choosing itself.

Kelly Says

This word is so rare that most modern dictionaries don't include it, yet it reveals something fascinating: 'eclectic' actually comes from the same root but got twisted through Greek. English had two slightly different words for essentially the same concept, and the Greek-derived one won!

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