selective
se|lec|tive /sɪl'ektɪv/
1 [ADJ] ADJ n
A selective process applies only to a few things or people.
Selective breeding may result in a greyhound running faster and seeing better than a wolf.
● selectively [ADV] usu ADV with v
Within the project, trees are selectively cut on a 25-year rotation.
● selectivity [N-UNCOUNT] usu with supp
The soldiers specialized in going out in small groups, to kill with a very high degree of selectivity.
2 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
When someone is selective, they choose things carefully, for example the things that they buy or do.
Sales still happen, but buyers are more selective...
● selectively [ADV] ADV with v
...people on small incomes who wanted to shop selectively.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you say that someone has a selective memory, you disapprove of the fact that they remember certain facts about something and deliberately forget others, often because it is convenient for them to do so.
We seem to have a selective memory for the best bits of the past...
● selectively [ADV] ADV with v
...a tendency to selectively forget all the adverse effects of the drug.se|lec|tive ser|vice
[N-UNCOUNT]
In the United States, selective service is a system of selecting and ordering young men to serve in the armed forces for a limited period of time.
1 [ADJ] ADJ n
A selective process applies only to a few things or people.
Selective breeding may result in a greyhound running faster and seeing better than a wolf.
● selectively [ADV] usu ADV with v
Within the project, trees are selectively cut on a 25-year rotation.
● selectivity [N-UNCOUNT] usu with supp
The soldiers specialized in going out in small groups, to kill with a very high degree of selectivity.
2 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
When someone is selective, they choose things carefully, for example the things that they buy or do.
Sales still happen, but buyers are more selective...
● selectively [ADV] ADV with v
...people on small incomes who wanted to shop selectively.
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you say that someone has a selective memory, you disapprove of the fact that they remember certain facts about something and deliberately forget others, often because it is convenient for them to do so.
We seem to have a selective memory for the best bits of the past...
● selectively [ADV] ADV with v
...a tendency to selectively forget all the adverse effects of the drug.se|lec|tive ser|vice
[N-UNCOUNT]
In the United States, selective service is a system of selecting and ordering young men to serve in the armed forces for a limited period of time.