elite

[ih-leet, ey-leet] /ɪˈlit, eɪˈlit/
noun
1.
(often used with a plural verb) the choice or best of anything considered collectively, as of a group or class of persons.
2.
(used with a plural verb) persons of the highest class:
Only the elite were there.
3.
a group of persons exercising the major share of authority or influence within a larger group:
the power elite of a major political party.
4.
a type, approximately 10-point in printing-type size, widely used in typewriters and having 12 characters to the inch.
Compare pica1 .
adjective
5.
representing the most choice or select; best:
an elite group of authors.
Also, élite.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English elit a person elected to office < Middle French e(s)lit past participle of e(s)lire to choose; see elect
Related forms
antielite, noun, adjective
nonelite, noun
superelite, noun
Examples from the web for elite
  • He had managed to scare and offend many of the elite while keeping his approval ratings high.
  • The elite have had a monopoly on the distribution of information .
  • Most of the political elite joined.
  • This is a young elite organization specializing in new supersonic weapons, and offering unlimited opportunities for advancement.
  • Many of the elite blue-collar jobs that pay top wages are held by journeymen who started as apprentices.
  • They were ruled by militaristic warrior-priests, part of a small, wealthy elite.
  • The pool of elite players has been spread thin.
  • We have never claimed to be good or elite.
  • Graduation from an elite law school is just the beginning.
  • The global elite are a cosmopolitan bunch, yet they are far from rootless.
British Dictionary definitions for elite

elite

/ɪˈliːt; eɪ-/
noun
1.
(sometimes functioning as pl) the most powerful, rich, gifted, or educated members of a group, community, etc
2.
Also called twelve pitch. a typewriter typesize having 12 characters to the inch
adjective
3.
of, relating to, or suitable for an elite; exclusive
Word Origin
C18: from French, from Old French eslit chosen, from eslire to choose, from Latin ēligere to elect
Word Origin and History for elite
n.

1823, from French élite "selection, choice," from Old French eslite (12c.), fem. past participle of elire, elisre "pick out, choose," from Latin eligere "choose" (see election). Borrowed in Middle English as "chosen person" (late 14c.), especially a bishop-elect; died out mid-15c.; re-introduced by Byron's "Don Juan." As an adjective by 1852. As a typeface, first recorded 1920.

elite in Technology

1. A term used to describe skilled crackers or hackers, or their deeds. In the last sense, compare to elegant.
The term is also used to describe exclusive forums (ftp sites, BBSs) used for trading pirated software, cracking tools, or phreaking codes.
(1997-01-31)