Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


elite


Éˊlite′

(āˊlēt′)
,
Noun.
[F., fr.
élire
to choose, L.
eligere
. See
Elect
.]
1.
A choice or select body; the flower;
as, the
élite
of society
.

Definition 2024


Elite

Elite

See also: elite and élite

German

Noun

Elite f (genitive Elite, plural Eliten)

  1. elite

Related terms

elite

elite

See also: Elite and élite

English

Alternative forms

Adjective

elite (comparative eliter or more elite, superlative elitest or most elite)

  1. Of high birth or social position; aristocratic or patrician.
  2. Representing the choicest or most select of a group.
    • 2013, Louise Taylor, English talent gets left behind as Premier League keeps importing (in The Guardian, 20 August 2013)
      Not since Coventry in 1992 has a Premier League side kicked off a campaign with an all-English XI but things have reached the point where, of the 61 signings who have cost the elite division's 20 clubs a transfer fee this summer, only 12 have involved Englishmen.

Translations

Noun

elite (plural elites)

  1. A special group or social class of people which have a superior intellectual, social or economic status as, the elite of society.
    • 2012 April 19, Josh Halliday, “Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised?”, in the Guardian:
      "Mujtahidd" has attracted almost 300,000 followers since the end of last year, when he began posting scandalous claims about the Saudi elite. In one tweet, Mujtahidd directly challenged Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Fahd about his political history: "Did you resign or were you forced to resign from your post as head of the diwan [office] of the council of ministers?"
  2. Someone who is among the best at a certain task.
    • 1964, "France's Culture Corps," Time, 7 Aug.,
      Is there a nobler or more disinterested aim than to educate the cadres, the elites of tomorrow?

Derived terms

  • global elite
  • power elite

Related terms

Translations


Portuguese

Noun

elite f (plural elites)

  1. elite (group with higher status)
  2. elite (person who is among the best at certain task)

Synonyms

  • (group with higher status): escol

Spanish

Alternative forms

Noun

elite f (plural elites)

  1. elite