option

—optionable, adj.

/op"sheuhn/, n.

1. the power or right of choosing.

2. something that may be or is chosen; choice.

3. the act of choosing.

4. an item of equipment or a feature that may be chosen as an addition to or replacement for standard equipment and features: a car with a long list of extra-cost options; a telephoto lens option for a camera.

5. See stock option.

6. a privilege acquired, as by the payment of a premium or consideration, of demanding, within a specified time, the carrying out of a transaction upon stipulated terms; the right, as granted in a contract or by an initial payment, of acquiring something in the future: We bought one lot and took a 90-day option on an adjoining one.

7. Football. a play in which a back has a choice of either passing or running with the ball.

v.t.

8. to acquire or grant an option on: The studio has optioned his latest novel for film adaptation.

9. to provide with optional equipment: The car can be fully optioned at additional cost.

[1595-1605; < L option- (s. of optio) choice, equiv. to op(tare) to select (see OPT) + -tion- -TION]

Syn. 2. See choice. 2, 3. selection, election.

* * *