picking

[ pik-ing ]
/ ˈpɪk ɪŋ /

noun

the act of a person or thing that picks.
something that is or may be picked or picked up.
the amount picked.
pickings,
  1. scraps or gleanings: the pickings of a feast.
  2. profits or gains; spoils.

Origin of picking

before 900; Middle English; Old English picung (once) a mark made by picking; see pick1, -ing1

Definition for picking (2 of 3)

Origin of pick

1
1250–1300; v. Middle English pyken, pikken, pekken, cognate with Dutch pikken, German picken, Old Norse pikka to pick; akin to peck2, pike5; (noun) derivative of the v.

SYNONYMS FOR pick

4 rob, pilfer.
12 reap, collect.

synonym study for pick

1. See choose.

OTHER WORDS FROM pick

pick·a·ble, adjective un·pick·a·ble, adjective

Definition for picking (3 of 3)

pick 3
[ pik ]
/ pɪk /
Textiles.

verb (used with object)

to cast (a shuttle).

noun

(in a loom) one passage of the shuttle.

Origin of pick

3
variant of pitch1

Example sentences from the Web for picking

British Dictionary definitions for picking (1 of 3)

pick 1
/ (pɪk) /

verb

noun

Derived forms of pick

pickable, adjective

Word Origin for pick

C15: from earlier piken to pick, influenced by French piquer to pierce; compare Middle Low German picken, Dutch pikken

British Dictionary definitions for picking (2 of 3)

pick 2
/ (pɪk) /

noun

a tool with a handle carrying a long steel head curved and tapering to a point at one or both ends, used for loosening soil, breaking rocks, etc
any of various tools used for picking, such as an ice pick or toothpick
a plectrum

verb

(tr) to pierce, dig, or break up (a hard surface) with a pick
(tr) to form (a hole) in this way

Word Origin for pick

C14: perhaps variant of pike ²

British Dictionary definitions for picking (3 of 3)

pick 3
/ (in weaving pɪk) /

verb

(tr) to cast (a shuttle)

noun

one casting of a shuttle
a weft or filling thread

Word Origin for pick

C14: variant of pitch 1

Idioms and Phrases with picking

pick