elite
//ɪˈliːt//
Forms
- Comparative
- eliter
- Superlative
- elitest
- Plural
- elites
Definitions
1.Of high birth or social position; aristocratic or patrician.
2.Representing the choicest or most select of a group.
1.A special group or social class of people who have a superior social or economic status and attendant power, advantages, or privileges in society; a member of such a group.
- Is there a nobler or more disinterested aim than to educate the cadres, the elites of tomorrow?
2.An individual member of such a group.
3.Someone who is among the best at a certain task.
4.A typeface with 12 characters per inch.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2853
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English elit
From Old French elit, eslit (“chosen, elected”) past participle of elire, eslire (“to choose, elect”)
From Latin eligere (“to choose, elect”), with past participle electus; see elect.