Selectivity: meaning, definitions and examples

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selectivity

[ sɪˌlɛkˈtɪvɪti ]

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behavioral psychology

The quality of being selective; the degree to which an individual or system is able to make choices based on preferences or criteria.

Synonyms

choosiness, discrimination, picky

Examples of usage

Her selectivity in choosing her friends is very high.
The selectivity of the algorithm ensures accurate results.

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chemistry

The ability of a material to allow certain substances to pass through while blocking others; the extent to which a membrane or filter can selectively allow the passage of specific molecules or ions.

Synonyms

differentiation, exclusiveness, specificity

Examples of usage

The selectivity of the membrane is crucial for the purification process.
This catalyst demonstrates high selectivity towards the desired product.

Translations

Translations of the word "selectivity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 seletividade

🇮🇳 चयनशीलता

🇩🇪 Selektivität

🇮🇩 selektivitas

🇺🇦 селективність

🇵🇱 selektywność

🇯🇵 選択性 (せんたくせい)

🇫🇷 sélectivité

🇪🇸 selectividad

🇹🇷 seçicilik

🇰🇷 선택성 (선택성)

🇸🇦 انتقائية

🇨🇿 selektivita

🇸🇰 selektivita

🇨🇳 选择性 (xuǎnzé xìng)

🇸🇮 selektivnost

🇮🇸 valkvæmni

🇰🇿 селекция

🇬🇪 არჩევითობა

🇦🇿 seçicilik

🇲🇽 selectividad

Word origin

The word 'selectivity' originated from the Latin word 'selectivus,' meaning 'choosing carefully.' It first appeared in English in the early 19th century. The concept of selectivity has been widely studied and applied in various fields, including psychology, chemistry, and biology. Understanding selectivity is essential for making informed decisions and optimizing processes.