pick

pick [-ed, -ing] v

Collateral form of OE pike, etymology obscure.

  1. Pluck; harvest; gather; [fig.] enjoy; relish; savor; experience; derive pleasure from.
  2. Select; choose; decide on; [pun on “pick a lock”; see definition “C”.]
  3. Undo secretively; open clandestinely.
  4. Empty; dip into; clean out; divest of valuable contents; steal from; filch from; pilfer from; snatch from.
  5. Phrase. “Pick up”: recover; retrieve; take hold of; grasp and lift upwards in order to inspect. 1147/1149
  6. Phrase. “Pick up”: liven up; become active; begin to be busy.