elite
or é·lite
[ih-leet, ey-leet]
- (often used with a plural verb) the choice or best of anything considered collectively, as of a group or class of persons.
- (used with a plural verb) persons of the highest class: Only the elite were there.
- a group of persons exercising the major share of authority or influence within a larger group: the power elite of a major political party.
- a type, approximately 10-point in printing-type size, widely used in typewriters and having 12 characters to the inch.Compare pica1.
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- representing the most choice or select; best: an elite group of authors.
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Origin of elite
1350–1400; Middle English elit a person elected to office < Middle French e(s)lit past participle of e(s)lire to choose; see elect
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
exclusivesocietycelebrityestablishmentaristocracynobleelecttoppickchoicecracksupercoolprimegentilityflowerprizecrowdfatbestExamples from the Web for elite
Contemporary Examples
And they all travel affordably, busting the myth that travel is only for the elite.
"Our Siberian girls are admired more by Asian countries than by the West," Elite Stars school director Tatyana Fetisova told me.
One of five top agencies in Novosibirsk, Elite Stars, recently was producing over 200 models every two to three months.
The Branson School holds an elite reputation in tony Marin County, charging around $40,000 a year for tuition.
The elite presidential guard stood alert in front of the Mexican National Palace where the president keeps his main office.
Historical Examples
The Elite Confectionery will occupy these premises Dec. 10th.
Mixed FacesRoy Norton
Soon they reached the dirty, plastic front of the Elite Cafe.
Foundling on VenusJohn de Courcy
But there's very little chance for advancement unless you're one of the elite.
AnchoriteRandall Garrett
After all, they would be, as one of their acquaintances said, among the elite of Beldover.
The RainbowD. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence
The elite of the army was in the Netherlands; there he could find what he desired.
A Word Only A Word, CompleteGeorg Ebers
elite
lite
- (sometimes functioning as plural) the most powerful, rich, gifted, or educated members of a group, community, etc
- Also called: twelve pitch a typewriter typesize having 12 characters to the inch
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- of, relating to, or suitable for an elite; exclusive
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Word Origin
C18: from French, from Old French eslit chosen, from eslire to choose, from Latin ēligere to elect
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for elite
n.
1823, from French élite "selection, choice," from Old French eslite (12c.), fem. past participle of elire, elisre "pick out, choose," from Latin eligere "choose" (see election). Borrowed in Middle English as "chosen person" (late 14c.), especially a bishop-elect; died out mid-15c.; re-introduced by Byron's "Don Juan." As an adjective by 1852. As a typeface, first recorded 1920.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper