Handpicking: meaning, definitions and examples

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handpicking

 

[ ˈhændˌpɪkɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

selecting carefully

Handpicking refers to the process of selecting items or individuals by hand with careful consideration to ensure quality or suitability. This method is often used in contexts where precision is essential, such as in farming, where ripe fruits are handpicked to ensure freshness. It can also relate to choosing candidates for a position or selecting materials for a project. Handpicking emphasizes a personal touch and attention to detail, distinguishing it from automated selection processes.

Synonyms

choosing, picking, selecting, sifting

Examples of usage

  • She was handpicking the best apples from the orchard.
  • The designer was handpicking fabrics for the new collection.
  • They are handpicking students for the special program.
  • During the event, volunteers were handpicking trash from the beach.

Translations

Translations of the word "handpicking" in other languages:

🇵🇹 seleção manual

🇮🇳 हाथ से चुनना

🇩🇪 Handauswahl

🇮🇩 memilih dengan tangan

🇺🇦 вибір вручну

🇵🇱 wybór ręczny

🇯🇵 手選び

🇫🇷 sélection manuelle

🇪🇸 selección manual

🇹🇷 elle seçme

🇰🇷 손으로 선택하기

🇸🇦 الاختيار اليدوي

🇨🇿 ruční výběr

🇸🇰 ručný výber

🇨🇳 手工挑选

🇸🇮 ročno izbira

🇮🇸 handval

🇰🇿 қолмен таңдау

🇬🇪 ხელით არჩევა

🇦🇿 əllə seçmək

🇲🇽 selección manual

Etymology

The term 'handpicking' is derived from the combination of the words 'hand' and 'picking.' The word 'hand' comes from the Old English 'hand,' which referred to the human extremity used for grasping, holding, and manipulating objects. 'Picking' originates from the Middle English word 'picken,' which means to gather or pluck. The concept of handpicking emerged as a practical term reflecting the traditional methods of selection, especially in agriculture and gathering industries. Over time, it has expanded into broader contexts, such as recruitment and quality control, emphasizing the human element in selection processes. The practice of handpicking predates modern mechanization, allowing individuals to choose with a discerning eye, thus ensuring a higher level of quality in the final outcome.