chosen, ppl. a.
(ˈtʃəʊz(ə)n)
For forms see choose v.
Used adjectively in the senses of the verb.
1. Taken by preference, selected, picked out.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xix. lxxiii. (1495) 900 A drope of chosen mylke. 1483 Cath. Angl. 64 Chosyn, electus, selectus. 1591 Shakes. Hen. VI, i. iv. 53 A guard of chosen Shot I had. 1611 Bible Ex. xv. 4 His chosen captaines also are drowned in the red Sea. 1614 Lodge tr. Seneca, Life i, The most chosen Romanes. 1765 Garrick in G. Colman Posth. Lett. (1820) 270 Three Vols. of the most chosen Songs in the french language. 1848 Lytton Harold i. i, White seemed his chosen colour. 1871 R. Ellis Catullus lxiv. 4 A chosen array, rare bloom of valorous Argos. |
| absol. 1819 Byron Juan ii. ccii, She was one Made but to love, to feel that she was his Who was her chosen. |
2. Theol. Chosen of God; elect.
| 1382 Wyclif 1 Pet. ii. 9 Ȝe ben a kynde chosun [1388 chosun kyn]. 1533 Frith Answ. More (1829) 157 The holy and chosen people of God. 1535 Coverdale Acts ix. 15 For this man is a chosen vessell vnto me. 1594 Bp. J. King Jonas (1618) 214 The best and chosenest member I haue shall doe thee seruice. 1712 Addison Spect. No. 405 ¶6 Those who were stiled the chosen People. 1827 Pollok Course T. vii, That warred Against the chosen saints. |
b. absol. Elect. (mostly
pl.)
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 93 Þe holie procession, þe he wile maken a domes dai mid hise chosene. c 1340 Cursor M. 1609 (Trin.) He him self to pyne didde For his chosen on rode tre. 1540 Coverdale Fruitf. Less. Wks. (1844) v. 400 He maketh his chosen to be like-fashioned into the image of his Son. 1550 Bale Sel. Wks. (1849) 396 To their confusion and to the chosen's comfort. 1625 Bacon Ess. Truth (Arb.) 500 He..inspireth Light, into the Face of his Chosen. 1814 Southey Roderick iv, The servant and the chosen of the Lord. |