They had only to choose between implicit obedience
and open rebellion. --Prescott.
[1913 Webster]
2. To do otherwise. ``Can I choose but smile?'' --Pope.
[1913 Webster]
{Can not choose but}, must necessarily.
[1913 Webster]
Thou canst not choose but know who I am. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Choose — Choose, v. i. 1. To make a selection; to decide. [1913 Webster] They had only to choose between implicit obedience and open rebellion. Prescott. [1913 Webster] 2. To do otherwise. Can I choose but smile? Pope. [1913 Webster] {Can not choose but} … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
but — but1 [but; ] unstressed [ bət] prep. [ME < OE butan, buton, without, outside; WGmc comp. < * be , *bi ,BY + * utana, from without: see OUT] 1. with the exception of; excepting; save [nobody came but me ]: earlier, and still sometimes,… … English World dictionary
can — I strong UK [kæn] / US weak UK [kən] / US modal verb *** Summary: Can is usually followed by an infinitive without to : I can speak French. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: Come and help us, if you can. Can does not change its … English dictionary
can — can1 [ weak kən, strong kæn ] modal verb *** Can is usually followed by an infinitive without to : I can speak French. Sometimes it is used without a following infinitive: Come and help us, if you can. Can does not change its form, so the third… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
but — 1. conj., prep., adv., pron., n., & v. conj. 1 a nevertheless, however (tried hard but did not succeed; I am old, but I am not weak). b on the other hand; on the contrary (I am old but you are young). 2 (prec. by can etc.; in neg. or interrog.)… … Useful english dictionary
Not proven — Criminal procedure Criminal trials and convictions … Wikipedia
Choose and Book — (CaB or C B), is an E Booking software application which has been introduced to the National Health Service (NHS) in England. It enables patients needing an outpatient appointment to choose which hospital they are referred to by their general… … Wikipedia
choose — choose, select, elect, opt, pick, cull, prefer, single are comparable when they mean to fix upon one of a number of things as the one to be taken, accepted, or adopted or to make such a determination. Choose commonly implies both an act of… … New Dictionary of Synonyms
Choose Responsibility — is a non profit organization in the United States that promotes public awareness of the dangers of excessive and reckless alcohol consumption by young adults. The main goal is to lower the minimum drinking age by educating the public. It was… … Wikipedia
beggars can't be choosers — People who can not choose what they will have, must accept what they get; if you are not in control, you must take what you can gel. * /We wanted to leave on the train in the morning but it doesn t go until afternoon, so we must go then. Beggars… … Dictionary of American idioms
