optant
Definition
Noun: An "optant" is a person who chooses or makes a choice, particularly in contexts of formal or legal selection.
Usage Examples
- (Each person who chose to participate had to sign.)
- (The committee examined the choices of every applicant.)
- (As a person making a choice, she opted for the retirement option.)
Advanced Usage
- Optant in international law: Historically, an "optant" refers to an individual who, after a change of sovereignty (e.g., territorial transfer), is permitted to choose their nationality.
- After the border was redrawn, the optant had one year to decide which country's citizenship to retain. (The person with the right to choose had a limited period to make their selection.)
Variants and Related Words
- Opt (verb): to make a choice or decision.
- She opted to stay home rather than go out. (She chose the option of staying home.)
- Option (noun): a choice or alternative available.
- He had several options for dinner. (He had multiple choices.)
- Optional (adj): not mandatory; available to be chosen.
- The extra assignment is optional. (Students can choose to do it or not.)
Synonyms
- Chooser: a person who selects or decides.
- Selector: one who picks from among alternatives.
- Elector: a person who votes or makes a formal choice (often political).
Related Idioms
- Hobson's choice: a situation where there is no real choice; the only "choice" is to take what is offered or nothing.
- The ultimatum was a Hobson's choice for the optant. (The optant had no genuine alternative.)