E*lec"tion (?), n. [F.
élection, L. electio, fr. eligere to
choose out. See Elect, a.]
1. The act of choosing; choice;
selection.
2. The act of choosing a person to fill an
office, or to membership in a society, as by ballot, uplifted hands,
or viva voce; as, the election of a president or a
mayor.
Corruption in elections is the great enemy of
freedom.
J. Adams.
3. Power of choosing; free will; liberty to
choose or act. "By his own election led to ill."
Daniel.
4. Discriminating choice; discernment.
[Obs.]
To use men with much difference and election is
good.
Bacon.
5. (Theol.) Divine choice;
predestination of individuals as objects of mercy and salvation; --
one of the "five points" of Calvinism.
There is a remnant according to the election of
grace.
Rom. xi. 5.
6. (Law) The choice, made by a party,
of two alternatives, by taking one of which, the chooser is excluded
from the other.
7. Those who are elected. [Obs.]
The election hath obtained it.
Rom. xi. 7.
To contest an election. See under
Contest. -- To make one's election,
to choose.
He has made his election to walk, in the main,
in the old paths.
Fitzed. Hall.