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Picker Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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picker

[ˈpɪkər ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

tool for selecting or choosing

A picker is a tool used for selecting or choosing something from a group of options. It is typically a small device with a mechanism that allows you to pick or grab items easily.

Synonyms

chooser, grabber, selector.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
picker

Used when referring to someone who selects items, often fruits or vegetables, usually as part of their job. It can also be used casually for someone who chooses items carefully.

  • The apple picker collected baskets full of fresh apples.
  • She is a picky eater, a real picker when it comes to choosing her meals.
selector

Used in a more formal setting, often related to specialized or technical selections. Commonly used in sports, technical fields, or contexts where someone has authority to choose.

  • The selector of the national team has announced the lineup for the next match.
  • In the software, use the color selector tool to change the background.
chooser

Refers to someone who makes a decision or selection from a range of options. Generally used in situations where the emphasis is on the act of choosing among multiple possibilities.

  • In a democracy, every voter is a chooser of their leaders.
  • As the chooser of the restaurant, he got to decide where we ate.
grabber

Has a negative connotation. Refers to someone who takes or seizes something quickly and often aggressively or selfishly.

  • He was a real grabber, taking all the toys for himself.
  • The headlines acted as attention grabbers.

Examples of usage

  • She used a picker to select the ripest apples from the tree.
  • The online store has a picker feature that helps customers choose the right size.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Agriculture

  • In modern farming, mechanical pickers are used to harvest crops like cotton and berries, making the process much faster.
  • Fruit-picking seasons often involve hiring seasonal workers known as 'pickers' to help with labor-intensive harvesting.
  • Certain regions, like California, rely heavily on pickers for their agricultural economy, especially for fruits and vegetables.

Pop Culture

  • In popular music, 'picker' can refer to guitarists, seen as those who 'pick' the strings to create sound.
  • Television shows about home improvement often feature 'picker' episodes, where hosts search for unique items in vintage shops.
  • The term appears in various phrases, such as 'picker upper,' to describe someone who collects or enhances something.

Psychology

  • Choosing or 'picking' items can relate to decision-making processes, where individuals weigh options before making a choice.
  • Studies show that which items people choose can reflect their personality traits – for instance, risk-takers might pick bolder colors.
  • The act of picking also involves emotional connections, like nostalgia associated with selecting certain types of items.

Literature

  • In literature, 'pickers' can be metaphorically referenced to symbolize choice, selection, or discernment.
  • Famous novels often involve characters who are 'pickers' of ideas or moral choices, shaping their stories and the world around them.
  • The imagery of pickers can evoke themes of nature, abundance, and the cyclical nature of life in poetry.

Origin of 'picker'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'picker' comes from the Old English word 'piccan', which means to cut or to peck.
  • Initially, 'picker' referred to anyone who gathered food, but it has now expanded to various types of collecting.
  • The word has been used in agriculture for centuries, prominently associated with harvest time.

The word 'picker' originated from the Middle English word 'pikere', which derived from the verb 'pick'. The concept of selecting or choosing has been essential throughout history, leading to the development of tools like the picker for easier selection.

See also: pick, picked, pickiness, picking, pickle, pickup, picky.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,983, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.