elite meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

elite

adj

UK /ɪˈliːt/ · US /ɪˈlit/

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.

Of high birth or social position; aristocratic or patrician.

Representing the choicest or most select of a group.

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.2013 August 20, Louise Taylor, The Guardian:

Derived terms: antielite, anti-elite, counterelite, elitarian, elite ball knowledge, elite capture, elitedom, eliteness, elite overproduction, eliticide, elitocracy, nonelite, subelite, superelite, unelite

elite

noun

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.

constituting an elite
the hubris of the elites

2 more examples

Is there a nobler or more disinterested aim than to educate the cadres, the elites of tomorrow?1964 August 7, “France's Culture Corps”, in Time:
So is there a way out of the grim place we’re in? What I believe is that while resentment can put bad people in power, in the long run it can’t keep them there. At some point the public will realize that most politicians railing against elites actually are elites in every sense that matters and start to hold them accountable for their failure to deliver on their promises. And at that point the public may be willing to listen to people who don’t try to argue from authority, don’t make false promises, but do try to tell the truth as best they can. We may never recover the kind of faith in our leaders — belief that people in power generally tell the truth and know what they’re doing — that we used to have. Nor should we. But if we stand up to the kakistocracy — rule by the worst — that’s emerging as we speak, we may eventually find our way back to a better world.2024 December 9, Paul Krugman, “My Last Column: Finding Hope in an Age of Resentment”, in New York Times:

An individual member of such a group.

Someone who is among the best at a certain task.

The Nations League results have also seen England respond to an ongoing criticism that they fail to beat the top sides, with even Southgate insisting they could not be considered among the world's elite until they beat the best. The World Cup did nothing to answer those questions.2018 November 18, Phil McNulty, “England 2 - 1 Croatia”, in BBC Sport:

Media, Publishing, Typography A typeface with 12 characters per inch.

Derived terms: coastal elite, cyberelite, liberal elite, metropolitan elite, power elite, technoelite
Related terms: elect, elegant, eligible, elitism, elitist, l33t, select, selection