Se*lec"tion (?), n. [L. selectio: cf. F. sélection.] . The act of
selecting, or the state of being selected; choice, by preference.
2. That which is selected; a collection of things chosen; as, a choice
selection of books.
Natural selection. (Biol.) See under Natural.
Se*lect"ive (?), a. Selecting; tending to select.
This selective providence of the Almighty.
Bp. Hall.
Se*lect"man (?), n.; pl. Selectmen (&?;). One of a board of town
officers chosen annually in the New England States to transact the
general public business of the town, and have a kind of executive
authority. The number is usually from three to seven in each town.
The system of delegated town action was then, perhaps, the same
which was defined in an "order made in 1635 by the inhabitants of
Charlestown at a full meeting for the government of the town, by
selectmen;" the name presently extended throughout New England to
municipal governors.
Palfrey.
Se*lect"ness, n. The quality or state of being select.
Se*lect"or (?), n. [L.] One who selects.
Sel"e*nate (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of selenic acid; -- formerly called
also seleniate.
Sel`en*hy"dric (?), a. (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating,
hydrogen selenide, H2Se, regarded as an acid analogous to sulphydric
acid.
Se*len"ic (?), a. [Cf. F. sélénique.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to
selenium; derived from, or containing, selenium; specifically,
designating those compounds in which the element has a higher valence
as contrasted with selenious compounds.
Sel"e*nide (?), n. (Chem.) A binary compound of selenium, or a compound
regarded as binary; as, ethyl selenide.
Sel`e*nif"er*ous (?), a. [Selenium + -ferous. ] Containing, or
impregnated with, selenium; as, seleniferous pyrites.
Se*le"ni*o- (&?;). (Chem.) A combining form (also used adjectively)
denoting the presence of selenium or its compounds; as,
selenio-phosphate, a phosphate having selenium in place of all, or a
part, of the oxygen.
Se*le"ni*ous (?), a. [Cf. F. sélénieux.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or
containing, selenium; specifically, designating those compounds in
which the element has a lower valence as contrasted with selenic
compounds.
Sel"e*nite (?), n. (Chem.) A salt of selenious acid.
Sel"e*nite, n. [L. selenites, Gr. &?;&?;&?;&?; (sc. &?;&?;&?;), from
selh`nh the moon. So called from a fancied resemblance in luster or
appearance to the moon.] (Min.) A variety of gypsum, occuring in
transparent crystals or crystalline masses.
{ Sel`e*nit"ic (?), Sel`e*nit"ic*al (?), } a. (Min.) Of or pertaining
to selenite; resembling or containing selenite.
Se*le"ni*um (?), n. [NL., from Gr. selh`nh the moon. So called because
of its chemical analogy to tellurium (from L. tellus the earth), being,
as it were, a companion to it.] (Chem.) A nonmetallic element of the
sulphur group, and analogous to sulphur in its compounds. It is found
in small quantities with sulphur and some sulphur ores, and obtained in
the free state as a dark reddish powder or crystalline mass, or as a
dark metallic-looking substance. It exhibits under the action of light
a remarkable variation in electric conductivity, and is used in certain
electric apparatus. Symbol Se. Atomic weight 78.9.