elite

The definition of elite is something prestigious or the best of the best.

(adjective)

An example of elite is an Olympic athlete.

See elite in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the group or part of a group selected or regarded as the finest, best, most distinguished, most powerful, etc.
a size of type for typewriters, measuring twelve characters to the linear inch

Origin: Fr élite < OFr eslite, fem. pp. of eslire, to choose < VL *exligere, for L eligere: see elect

adjective

of, forming, or suitable for an elite

See elite in American Heritage Dictionary 4

or é·lite

noun pl. elite or e·lites

a. A group or class of persons or a member of such a group or class, enjoying superior intellectual, social, or economic status: “In addition to notions of social equality there was much emphasis on the role of elites and of heroes within them” (Times Literary Supplement).
b. The best or most skilled members of a group: the football team's elite.
A size of type on a typewriter, equal to 12 characters per linear inch.

Origin:

Origin: French élite

Origin: , from Old French eslite

Origin: , from

Origin: feminine past participle of eslire, to choose

Origin: , from Latin ēligere; see elect

Related Forms: