#609. Choice. -- N. choice, option;. discretion &c. (volition) 600; preoption[obs]; alternative; dilemma, embarras de choix[Fr]; adoption, cooptation[obs]; novation[obs]; decision &c. (judgment) 480.
election; political election (politics) 737a.
selection, excerption, gleaning, eclecticism; excerpta[obs], gleanings, cuttings, scissors and paste; pick &c. (best) 650.
preference, prelation[obs], opinion poll, survey; predilection &c. (desire) 865.
V. offers one's choice, set before; hold out the alternative, present the alternative, offer the alternative; put to the vote.
use option, use discretion, exercise option, exercise discretion, one's option; adopt, take up, embrace, espouse; choose, elect, opt for; take one's choice, make one's choice; make choice of, fix upon.
vote, poll, hold up one's hand; divide.
settle; decide &c. (adjudge) 480; list &c. (will) 600; make up one's mind &c. (resolve) 604.
select; pick and choose; pick out, single out; cull, glean, winnow; sift the chaff from the wheat, separate the chaff from the wheat, winnow the chaff from the wheat; pick up, pitch upon; pick one's way; indulge one;s fancy.
set apart, mark out for; mark &c. 550.
prefer; have rather, have as lief; fancy &c. (desire) 865; be persuaded &c. 615.
take a decided step, take a decisive step; commit oneself to a course; pass the Rubicon, cross the Rubicon; cast in one's lot with; take for better or for worse.
Adj. optional; discretional &c. (voluntary) 600.
eclectic; choosing &c. v.; preferential; chosen &c. v.; choice &c. (good) 648.
Adv. optionally &c. adj.; at pleasure &c. (will) 600; either the one or the other; or at the option of; whether or not; once and for all; for one's money.
by choice, by preference; in preference; rather, before. #609a. Absence of Choice. -- N. no choice, Hobson's choice; first come first served, random selection; necessity &c. 601; not a pin to choose &c. (equality) 27; any, the first that comes; that or nothing.
neutrality, indifference; indecision &c. (irresolution) 605; arbitrariness.
coercion (compulsion) 744.
V. be neutral &c. adj.; have no choice, have no election; waive, not vote; abstain from voting, refrain from voting; leave undecided; "make a virtue of necessity" [Two Gentlemen].
Adj. neutral, neuter; indifferent, uninterested; undecided &c. (irresolute) 605.
Adv. either &c. (choice) 609.
Phr. who cares? what difference does it make? "There's not a dime's worth of difference between them." [George Wallace].