In a way that involves careful choice or discrimination, picking only certain items or options.
From Latin 'selectus', past participle of 'seligere' meaning 'to choose', combined with suffix '-ive' and adverbial '-ly'. The root 'legere' means 'to gather' or 'to choose', also found in 'collect' and 'elect'.
The concept of selectivity is fundamental to intelligence and survival - from selective breeding in agriculture to selective attention in psychology. The ability to discriminate and choose wisely separates random action from purposeful behavior.
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