selectivity
/sɪlˌɛktˈɪvəti/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.80 in modern English
19
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
5
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The quality of being selective, or extent to which something is selective.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
The ability of a radio receiver to separate a desired signal frequency from others.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
Discrimination of a reactant towards a choice of other reactants; the ratio of rate constants for different reactants.
Countable; Uncountable
noun
An approach to social work that prioritizes people perceived as having the most need for assistance.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "[…] while music was known to have scientific qualities — harmony, Pythagorean proportional relationship, etc. — it was the musician who by his selectivity made these proportions beautiful, […]"
- "“We must stop conflating selectivity with excellence. We must stop correlating prestige with privilege,” he said."
- "Proponents of selectivity herald its cost effectiveness; instead of resources being spread over a vast population, money or services can be used where they are most needed. This can help fill in the gaps between needy and non-needy groups. […] Critics of selectivity argue, however, that it may be more cost effective to provide social welfare benefits across the board rather than to spend time and money sorting out those who are "truly disadvantaged.""
Etymology
Etymology tree English selective Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-ts Proto-Indo-European *-teh₂ts Latin -itāsder. Old French -itebor. Middle English -ite English -ity English selectivity From selective + -ity.