option

[Fr., from Lat optionem, acc. of optio choice; cogn. with opto =to wish, to choose; Sp. opcion.] I. Ordinary Language : 1. Wish, choice, desire. IMG:content-0330.png:[blocks in formation] Stock Exchange: A bargain in which a dealer has the right to buy, or sell, or both, a certain amount of stock at a given price, during a specified time. Local Option : [LOCAL-OPTION.] op-tion-al, a. [Eng.option; -al.] 1. Left to or depending on one's own choice; not compulsory or nece ary. "In the former case the use of words is, in a great neasure, optional ."- Stewart : Human Mind, ch. iv., § 2. 2. Leaving anything to choice; involving a power of choice or option. In õp-tion-al-ly, adv. [Eng. optional; -ly.] an optional manner; with the power or right of choosing. õp-tom-ě-tër, s. [Greek optomai to see, and metron =a measure.] Optics: An instrument for ascertaining the extent of vision in different individuals, for the purpose of choosing proper lenses to correct defects of sight. õp-u-lençe, s . [Fr., from Lat. opulent i a , from opulent us rich, opulent (q. v.); Sp. opulencia ; Ital. opulenza .] Wealth, riches, affluence. "She had been restored to opulence and honor by libertines."- Macaulay : Hist . Eng ., ch. ii.