Pick1  —v. 1 (also absol.) Choose carefully. 2 detach or pluck (a flower, fruit, etc.) From a stem, tree, etc. 3 a probe with the finger, an instrument, etc. To remove unwanted matter. B clear (a bone, carcass, etc.) Of scraps of meat etc. 4 (also absol.) (of a person) eat (food, a meal, etc.) In small bits. —n. 1 act of picking. 2 a selection, choice. B right to select (had first pick of the prizes). 3 (usu. Foll. By of) best (the pick of the bunch).  pick and choose select fastidiously. Pick at 1 eat (food) without interest. 2 find fault with. Pick a person's brains extract ideas, information, etc., from a person for one's own use. Pick holes in find fault with (an idea etc.). Pick a lock open a lock with an instrument other than the proper key, esp. With criminal intent. Pick off 1 pluck (leaves etc.) Off. 2 shoot (people etc.) One by one without haste. Pick on 1 find fault with; nag at. 2 select. Pick out 1 take from a larger number. 2 distinguish from surrounding objects; identify. 3 play (a tune) by ear on the piano etc. 4 (often foll. By in, with) accentuate (decoration, a painting, etc.) With a contrasting colour. Pick over select the best from. Pick a person's pockets steal from a person's pockets. Pick a quarrel start an argument deliberately. Pick to pieces = take to pieces (see *piece). Pick up 1 grasp and raise. 2 a acquire by chance or without effort. B learn effortlessly. 3 stop for and take along with one. 4 become acquainted with (a person) casually, esp for sexual purposes. 5 (of one's health, the weather, share prices, etc.) Recover, improve, etc. 6 (of an engine etc.) Recover speed. 7 (of the police etc.) Arrest. 8 detect by scrutiny or with a telescope, radio, etc. 9 accept the responsibility of paying (a bill etc.). 10 resume, take up anew (picked up where we left off).  picker n. [from *pike]