the power or faculty of wishing, or choosing; or the choice a person makes of any thing.

When a new suffragan bishop is consecrated, the archbishop of the province, by a customary prerogative, claims the collation of the first vacant benefice, or dignity, in that see, according as he shall choose; which choice is called the archbishop's option.

But in case the bishop dies, or is translated, before the present incumbent of the promotion chosen by the archbishop shall die or be removed, it is generally supposed that the option is void; insomuch as the grantor, singly and by himself, could not convey any right or title beyond the term of his continuance in that see. And if the archbishop dies before the avoidance shall happen, the right of filling up the vacancy shall go to his executors or administrators.