What is "to choose sides"

Side \Side\ (s[imac]d), n. [AS. s[=i]de; akin to D. zijde, G. seite, OHG. s[=i]ta, Icel. s[=i]?a, Dan. side, Sw. sida; cf. AS. s[=i]d large, spacious, Icel. s[=i]?r long, hanging.] 1. The margin, edge, verge, or border of a surface; especially (when the thing spoken of is somewhat oblong in shape), one of the longer edges as distinguished from the shorter edges, called ends; a bounding line of a geometrical figure; as, the side of a field, of a square or triangle, of a river, of a road, etc. 3. Any outer portion of a thing considered apart from, and yet in relation to, the rest; as, the upper side of a sphere; also, any part or position viewed as opposite to or contrasted with another; as, this or that side. Looking round on every side beheld A pathless desert. --Milton. 4.

1. One of the halves of the body, of an animals or man, on either side of the mesial plane; or that which pertains to such a half; as, a side of beef; a side of sole leather.

2. The right or left part of the wall or trunk of the body; as, a pain in the side.

   One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side.
   --John xix. 34.

   5. A slope or declivity, as of a hill, considered as opposed to another slope over the ridge.

   Along the side of yon small hill.
   --Milton.

   6. The position of a person or party regarded as opposed to another person or party, whether as a rival or a foe; a body of advocates or partisans; a party; hence, the interest or cause which one maintains against another; a doctrine or view opposed to another.

   God on our side, doubt not of victory.
   --Shak.

   We have not always been of the . . . same side in politics.
   --Landor.

   Sets the passions on the side of truth.
   --Pope.

   7. A line of descent traced through one parent as distinguished from that traced through another.

   To sit upon thy father David's throne, By mother's side thy father.
   --Milton.

   8. Fig.: Aspect or part regarded as contrasted with some other; as, the bright side of poverty.

   By the side of, close at hand; near to.

   Exterior side. (Fort.) See Exterior, and Illust. of Ravelin.

   Interior side (Fort.), the line drawn from the center of one bastion to that of the next, or the line curtain produced to the two oblique radii in front.
   --H. L. Scott.

   Side by side, close together and abreast; in company or along with.

   To choose sides, to select those who shall compete, as in a game, on either side.

   To take sides, to attach one's self to, or give assistance to, one of two opposing sides or parties.

Choose \Choose\, v. t. [imp. Chose; p. p. Chosen, Chose (Obs.); p. pr. & vb. n. Choosing.] [OE. chesen, cheosen, AS. ce['o]san; akin to OS. kiosan, D. kiezen, G. kiesen, Icel. kj[=o]sa, Goth. kiusan, L. gustare to taste, Gr. ?, Skr. jush to enjoy. [root]46. Cf. Choice, 2d Gust.]

1. To make choice of; to select; to take by way of preference from two or more objects offered; to elect; as, to choose the least of two evils.

   Choose me for a humble friend.
   --Pope.

2. To wish; to desire; to prefer. [Colloq.]

   The landlady now returned to know if we did not choose a more genteel apartment.
   --Goldsmith.

   To choose sides. See under Side.

   Syn: Syn. - To select; prefer; elect; adopt; follow.

   Usage: To Choose, Prefer, Elect. To choose is the generic term, and denotes to take or fix upon by an act of the will, especially in accordance with a decision of the judgment. To prefer is to choose or favor one thing as compared with, and more desirable than, another, or more in accordance with one's tastes and feelings. To elect is to choose or select for some office, employment, use, privilege, etc., especially by the concurrent vote or voice of a sufficient number of electors. To choose a profession; to prefer private life to a public one; to elect members of Congress.