Unpicked

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Referring to something that has not been chosen or selected ; describing fruit, crops, or items that have not been gathered or harvested
2. Indicating an option or item left unselected from a group ; pertaining to produce or goods remaining in place without collection
3. Describing objects or individuals that were not picked for use or selection ; relating to agricultural produce or items that remain unharvested or untouched

Etymology: "Unpicked" is the past participle of "unpick," which in Middle English was "unpiken," built from the prefix "un-" and the verb "pick." The verb "pick" and the prefix "un-" are both old English stock, so the word is a plain compound with no foreign detour. Its basic sense is literal: to undo stitching by pulling out the threads, the way a seam or embroidery is taken apart. From that cloth-working meaning, "unpick" came to mean undoing anything carefully, piece by piece. The adjective "unpicked," meaning not yet harvested or gathered, follows the older sense of "pick" as plucking fruit or flowers, so a field of fruit that has not been gathered is simply one nobody has picked yet.

Synonyms: not selected, not chosen

Antonyms: picked, selected, chosen