Election \E*lec"tion\, n. [F. ['e]lection, 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)