elite English · revision 5493

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1823|origins=la ēligere}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /iˈliːt/, /eɪˈliːt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fr|élite|t=selection, choice]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) a noun use of the feminine of Old French eslit, the past participle of eslire “to choose”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[la-vul|*exligere]], an alteration of [[m|la|ēligere|t=to choose]] under the influence of ex-.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986) It is related to [[elect]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The choice or best part of a society or group: 1823, in Byron's Don Juan.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) NODE and the SOED date it to the late 18th century.^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Middle English had already borrowed elite from Old French, as “a person elected”, especially a bishop-elect, from 1387; it was still in use in 1450 but then died out.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Byron reintroduced the word.^(Etymonline) As an adjective it is from 1852,^(Etymonline) and as a typewriter type size, twelve characters to the inch, from 1920.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1387 – a person elected (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1823 – the best part of society.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1852 – the adjective.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1920 – a typewriter type size.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A group of people with the most power, wealth or talent in a society.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The best or most skilled members of a group.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A size of [[typewriter]] type with twelve characters to the inch.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of or belonging to an elite; select and superior.^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[antielite]]

+ * [[nonelite]]

+ * [[superelite]]

+ * [[power elite]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[elect]]

+ * [[elitism]]

+ * [[elegant]]

+ * [[eligible]]

+ * [[select]]

+ * [[selection]]

+ * [[election]]

+ * [[elitist]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}