Underselected

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Describes something that has been selected in smaller numbers than anticipated or required
2. Indicates that fewer items or options have been picked than the expected amount
3. Refers to an instance where the selection count is lower than what is typical or necessary

Etymology: "Underselected" is a plain English formation: the prefix "under-" meaning "too little, insufficiently" attached to "selected," the past participle of "select." "Select" itself comes from Latin "selectus," the past participle of "seligere," meaning "to choose out," formed from "se-" (apart) and "legere" (to gather or pick). Through "under-" the word describes a choice that fell short of what was expected or needed. The prefix "under-" is very old in English and is productive, meaning it can be attached freely to verbs and participles to create new words on the spot. "Underselected" follows the same pattern as "underpaid," "undervalued," or "underrepresented," and it is most often used in statistical, research, or commercial contexts, such as a sample group that was underselected for a study.

Synonyms: insufficiently selected, less chosen

Antonyms: overselected, overchosen