Handpick

/ˈhændˌpɪk/ verb

Definition

To select or choose something or someone carefully and deliberately, often picking the best options.

Etymology

From 'hand' (Old English 'hand') + 'pick' (Middle English 'piken', to pierce or select). Originally literally meant picking items by hand; metaphorically extended to mean selecting with care.

Kelly Says

The verb 'handpick' suggests quality and intention—when a coach handpicks players for a team or a teacher handpicks books for students, it signals that choices were made thoughtfully rather than randomly or by default.

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