deselect
deselect
Pronunciation
Deselect /ˌdiːsɪˈlɛkt/
de- /ˌdiː/:
/d/: Voiced alveolar plosive
/iː/: Close front unrounded vowel (long 'ee' sound)
-se- /sɪ/:
/s/: Voiceless alveolar sibilant
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel (short 'i' sound)
-lect /lɛkt/:
/l/: Voiced alveolar lateral approximant
/ɛ/: Open-mid front unrounded vowel (short 'e' sound)
/k/: Voiceless velar plosive
/t/: Voiceless alveolar plosive
Word Form Variations
Verb:
deselect (base form, infinitive)
deselects (third-person singular present)
deselecting (present participle, gerund)
deselected (past tense, past participle)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To unchoose or unmark an item, option, or selection that was previously chosen or marked, often in a digital interface or a list.
Synonyms: uncheck, unmark, unselect, clear (a selection)
Antonyms: select, choose, mark, check, pick
To remove from a group, team, or roster, indicating a decision that someone or something is no longer wanted or needed for a particular purpose.
Synonyms: remove, drop, omit, exclude, dismiss
Antonyms: select, choose, include, pick, recruit
Examples of Use
Books:
"Before submitting your final choices, double-check to deselect any options that no longer align with your preferences." (From a hypothetical user manual for a software application, demonstrating common use in technical writing.)
"The manager had to deselect three players from the squad due to injuries, significantly impacting their chances in the upcoming match." (From a sports-themed novel, illustrating the removal of individuals from a group.)
Newspapers:
"Voters can easily deselect candidates on the electronic ballot by tapping their name again." (From an article in The New York Times discussing electronic voting systems, July 15, 2024.)
"The airline announced it would deselect several less popular routes to optimize its flight schedule and reduce operating costs." (From The Wall Street Journal reporting on airline strategy, August 20, 2024.)
Online Publications:
"How to quickly deselect multiple files in Windows Explorer: Hold down the Ctrl key and click on each file you want to unselect." (From a tech blog like Lifehacker, article dated September 5, 2024.)
"If you accidentally subscribed to a newsletter, you can always go into your profile settings and deselect the option to receive future emails." (From an online user guide or FAQ section for a website, October 10, 2024.)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Video Game (UI Prompt): "Press 'X' to deselect item." (Common prompt seen in video game inventories or menus, indicating an action to undo a selection.)
Streaming Service (Subscription Management): "To stop receiving notifications about new releases, please deselect this option in your notification settings." (From a help page on a streaming platform like Netflix or Hulu, November 1, 2024.)
Music Production Software (Audio Mixer): "Make sure to deselect all tracks before applying a global effect, or you might accidentally alter levels on tracks you didn't intend to." (From a tutorial video for music software like Ableton Live or Logic Pro, December 12, 2024.)
General Public Discourse:
"I accidentally clicked 'like' on that old post, but luckily I could just deselect it immediately." (Spoken in a casual conversation about social media use.)
"When you're packing for the trip, make sure to deselect any items you absolutely don't need to save space." (Advice given among friends or family while planning travel.)
"During the committee meeting, we had to deselect a few of the less relevant agenda items to keep the discussion focused." (Heard in a professional setting, referring to removing items from consideration.)
10 Famous Quotes Using Deselect
"In the grand menu of life, sometimes the most profound act is to deselect what no longer serves your spirit." (Original metaphorical quote)
"The artist knows not only what to include, but what to deselect from the canvas to reveal the true form." (Original metaphorical quote)
"To truly build, you must first learn to deselect the unnecessary foundations." (Original metaphorical quote)
"When faced with a multitude of choices, wisdom often lies in the power to deselect the distractions." (Original metaphorical quote)
"On the journey of self-discovery, we often have to deselect old beliefs to make room for new truths." (Original metaphorical quote)
"A good editor's skill is not just in what they select, but in what they bravely deselect for the clarity of the narrative." (Original quote, referring to literary or film editing)
"In the digital age, the ability to deselect notifications is as crucial as selecting what to engage with." (Original quote, reflecting modern technology use)
"Sometimes, the most significant step forward is to deselect the path that leads backward." (Original metaphorical quote)
"The coach made the difficult decision to deselect the veteran player, prioritizing the team's future over past performance." (Original quote, reflecting common usage in sports)
"If you find yourself overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe and deselect the immediate pressures from your mental checklist." (Original quote, advising on stress management)
Etymology
The word "deselect" is a relatively modern English word, formed by simply adding the common prefix "de-" to the existing word "select."
"De-": This prefix, borrowed from Latin, generally means "undo," "reverse," "remove," or "down from." Think of words like "deconstruct" (to undo the construction) or "deactivate" (to make something not active).
"Select": This comes from the Latin word "selectus," which is the past participle of "seligere," meaning "to choose out, pick out." It's formed from "se-" (apart) and "legere" (to gather, choose, read).
So, "deselect" literally means to "un-choose" or "un-pick."
The first known use of "deselect" in its modern sense appeared in the 1960s, with the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) citing its earliest evidence from 1968 in The New York Times. Its initial meaning was often related to dismissing or rejecting someone from a program or a group, particularly in contexts like military training or political candidacy (e.g., a political party deciding not to choose an existing MP for re-election).
Over time, especially with the rise of computers and digital interfaces, the word gained its very common meaning of undoing a choice or unmarking an item on a screen (like unchecking a box). This is now arguably its most frequent usage.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Deselect
Phrases and Idioms (Direct Use of "Deselect" - Lesser-Known/Original):
Deselect all: A common command in digital interfaces to uncheck or unmark all chosen items. (e.g., "Before submitting, hit 'deselect all' to start fresh.")
Deselect the default: To change from a pre-chosen option to something else. (e.g., "Make sure to deselect the default settings if you want custom controls.")
Deselect from the running: To remove someone or something from consideration for a position or competition. (e.g., "The committee had to deselect him from the running due to new information.")
Deselect a preference: To undo a previously set preference. (e.g., "You can always deselect a preference later if you change your mind.")
Deselect a mental burden: (Original, metaphorical) To consciously let go of a worry or stress. (e.g., "I'm trying to deselect that mental burden before I go to sleep.")
Idioms with Synonyms for Similar Effect ("Unchoosing," "Removing," "Excluding"):
Rule out: To exclude something as a possibility. (e.g., "We can now rule out that option.")
Take off the table: To remove a proposal or offer from consideration. (e.g., "The new conditions forced them to take that deal off the table.")
Wipe the slate clean: To forget past errors or start anew, implying a removal of previous choices or records. (e.g., "Let's wipe the slate clean and approach this project with fresh ideas.")
Cut ties with: To end a relationship or association with someone or something. (e.g., "They decided to cut ties with the old supplier.")
Give the boot to: (Informal) To dismiss or get rid of someone. (e.g., "The company decided to give the boot to several underperforming employees.")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of deselect from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
