elite

Pronunciation: /ɪˈlit/

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status
  2. adjective selected as the best

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.

In classic literature

Synonyms

elite group

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
upper class
Narrower (hyponyms)
society, chosen, few, intelligentsia, cream, nobility

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