Definition of "pick out"

But lering and lurking here and there like ſpies,The devil tere their tunges and pike out their ies!

c. 1515–1516, published 1568, John Skelton, Againſt venemous tongues enpoyſoned with ſclaunder and falſe detractions &c.

Madame Defarge herself picked out the pattern on her sleeve with her toothpick, and saw and heard something inaudible and invisible a long way off.

1859, Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

Oliver had an erratic and often bewildering afternoon and, just to pick out one incident, the images of Joe Hart putting his forehead uncomfortably close to the official are certainly far from the norm.

2014 November 2, Daniel Taylor, “Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United”, in guardian.co.uk‎

Very often husbands would patronise my boutique and pick out something for the little lady and, in passing, pick out something for themselves.

2007, Letticia, Body Worship, page 192

The young birds cry out for food, and the parents returning from the sea manage to pick out their own amid a mass of lookalikes.

1988 April 30, “Bonaventure Island a birdwatcher's delight 50,000 gannets jostle and spar for a piece of the island”, in Toronto Star‎

Away on the farthest cape or headland of the long islet, on a strip of turf beyond the last rank of roses, the duellists had already crossed swords. Evening above them was a dome of virgin gold, and, distant as they were, every detail was picked out.

1911, Chesterton, “The Sins of Prince Saradine”, in The Innocence of Father Brown

And as I sat there brooding on the old, unknown world, I thought of Gatsby's wonder when he first picked out the green light at the end of Daisy's dock.

1925, F[rancis] Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby, New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner’s Sons, published 1953

Ameobi skipped away down the left in the 39th minute and tried to pick out Shearer with a cross but his delivery was cut out by goalkeeper Jussi J...

2006 December 26, “Bolton Wanderers vs Newcastle United”, in 4TheGame‎, archived from the original on 14 April 2008