Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • By means of selected specimens; by selection.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb In a selective manner, only affecting or applying to some selected cases.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb by selection; in a selective manner

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

selective +‎ -ly

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Examples

  • The Bush Administration's policy of "no negotiations with terrorists," with the label selectively applied, makes no more sense in this hemisphere than in other parts of the world.

    Mark Weisbrot: Hostage Drama Shows Flaws in Washington's Policy on Colombia 2008

  • Ms. Rosin selectively quoted articles supporting her perspective that there is insufficient evidence for the health benefits of breast-feeding, and ignored the mass of data that provides ample evidence for its benefits.

    Letters to the Editor 2009

  • Ms. Rosin selectively quoted articles supporting her perspective that there is insufficient evidence for the health benefits of breast-feeding, and ignored the mass of data that provides ample evidence for its benefits.

    Letters to the Editor 2009

  • After diffusing the emitter, Hoerni again selectively etched the oxide layer to provide for alloy contacts (f).

    The Planar Process 2010

  • McCain selectively "rejected" statements made by Hateful Hagee but never denounced the endorsement.

    McCain rejects endorsement of a second controversial pastor 2008

  • : 1) Expelled quotes Charles Darwin selectively to connect his ideas to eugenics and the Holocaust.

    Archive 2008-04-01 2008

  • Yes a Bennite, though she used the term selectively - she dropped it when it got in the way of her career.

    Archive 2009-05-01 Alan Smart 2009

  • Yes a Bennite, though she used the term selectively - she dropped it when it got in the way of her career.

    Margaret Beckett Alan Smart 2009

  • Operating on the premise that credit will improve over the next 12 to 18 months as the economy stabilizes, leading to higher earnings and fatter stock valuations, Morgan Stanley is pitching clients on the idea of selectively building positions in large-cap and mid-cap bank stocks even though bank shares are up about 8% since the end of second quarter earnings reports.

    Dan Dorfman: Banking's Good, Bad And Ugly 2009

  • To call selectively for a more humane perspective in one arena while espousing violent and predatory views in most others is nothing but crass opportunism.

    New poll data on abortion 2005

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