I.to choose out, to select (for syn. cf.: lego, coopto, designo, eligo, seligo).
I. In gen. (freq. and class.): “continuo Amphitruo delegit viros primores principes,” Plaut. Am. 1, 1, 49: “ad eas res conficiendas Orgetorix deligitur,” Caes. B. G. 1, 3, 3: quodsi liber populus deliget, quibus se committat; “deligetque optimum quemque,” Cic. Rep. 1, 34: “qui ex senatu in hoc consilium delecti estis,” id. Rosc. Am. 3 fin.; so with ex, id. Agr. 2, 9, 23; id. Mil. 8, 21; id. Rep. 1, 44; Caes. B. G. 3, 18; 5, 11; Sall. J. 23, 2; Liv. 8, 33 et saep.; poet. with ab: “delectos ordine ab omni centum oratores,” Verg. A. 7, 152: “Otho (Celsum) bello inter duces delegit,” Tac. H. 1, 71: “locum castris,” Caes. B. G. 1, 49; 2, 17: “hunc sibi locum domicilio,” id. ib. 2, 29 fin. et saep.: “re frumentaria comparata equitibusque delectis,” id. ib. 4, 7; “and so of soldiers,” id. ib. 1, 48; Sall. J. 46, 7; 49, 1 al.: “delecti Latio et Laurentibus agris,” Verg. A. 11, 431: “melimela ad lunam delecta,” Hor. S. 2, 8, 32.—Poet.: “altaque mortali deligere astra manu,” Prop. 2, 32, 50 (3, 30, 50 M. dub.; al. deripere).—
II. In partic.
A. Of fruits, to gather, pick off: “oleam,” Cato R. R. 144, 1: “uvam,” ib. 112, 2: “fructum,” Col. 5, 10, 10.—
