pick out

1.  Choose, select, as in She picked out the best piece of fabric. [Early 1500s]
2.  Distinguish, discern from one's surroundings, as in They managed to pick out their mother from the crowd. [Mid-1500s]
3.  Identify the notes of a tune and play it on an instrument, as in When she was four she could pick out folk songs on the piano. [Late 1800s]

The verb has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
  Synonyms: choose, take, select

Meaning #2: detect with the senses
  Synonyms: recognize, recognise, distinguish, discern, make out, tell apart