ppl. a. For forms see CHOOSE v. Used adjectively in the senses of the verb.
1. Taken by preference, selected, picked out.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XIX. lxxiii. (1495), 900. A drope of chosen mylke.
1483. Cath. Angl., 64. Chosyn, electus, selectus.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., I. iv. 53. A guard of chosen Shot I had.
1611. Bible, Ex. xv. 4. His [Pharaohs] chosen captaines also are drowned in the red Sea.
1614. Lodge, trans. Seneca, Life i. The most chosen Romanes and Spaniards inhabited this Corduba from the beginning.
1765. Garrick, in G. Colman, Posth. Lett. (1820), 270. Three Vols. of the most chosen Songs in the french language.
1848. Lytton, Harold, I. i. White seemed his chosen colour.
1871. R. Ellis, Catullus, lxiv. 4. A chosen array, rare bloom of valorous Argos.
absol. 1819. Byron, Juan, II. ccii. She was one Made but to love, to feel that she was his Who was her chosen.
2. Theol. Chosen of God; elect.
1382. Wyclif, 1 Pet. ii. 9. Ȝe ben a kynde chosun [1388 chosun kyn].
1533. Frith, Answ. More (1829), 157. The holy and chosen people of God.
1535. Coverdale, Acts ix. 15. For this man is a chosen vessell vnto me.
1594. Bp. J. King, Jonas (1618), 214. The best and chosenest member I haue shall doe thee seruice.
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 405, ¶ 6. Those who were stiled the chosen People.
1827. Pollok, Course T., VII. That warred Against the chosen saints.
b. absol. Elect. (mostly pl.)
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 93. Þe holie procession, þe he wile maken a domes dai mid hise chosene.
c. 1340. Cursor M., 1609 (Trin.). He him self to pyne didde For his chosen on rode tre.
1540. Coverdale, Fruitf. Less., Wks. (1844), v. 400. He maketh his chosen to be like-fashioned into the image of his Son.
1550. Bale, Sel. Wks. (1849), 396. To their confusion and to the chosen’s comfort.
1625. Bacon, Ess. Truth (Arb.), 500. He … inspireth Light, into the Face of his Chosen.
1814. Southey, Roderick, IV. The servant and the chosen of the Lord.
