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Added 10 October 2026

elite

/ɪˈliːt/ noun

Latin root: eligere Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about elite at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status.

adjective

Selected as the best.
an elect circle of artists

Origin

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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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