I. āˈlēt also ə̇ˈ- sometimes eˈ- or ēˈ-; usu -lēd.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: French élite, from Old French eslite choice, from feminine of eslit, past participle of eslire to choose, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin exligere, alteration (influenced by Latin ex- ) of Latin eligere — more at elect
1. : the choice part or segment : flower , cream , aristocracy
an intellectual elite
the elite of coffees
as
a. : a segment or group regarded as socially superior
a store catering only to the elite
b. : highly trained soldiers
threw the elite of his army at the enemy's weakened flank
c. : a minority group or stratum that exerts influence, authority, or decisive power
a power elite
party managers and the leaders of the control groups within the parties are the elites — B.J.Loewenberg
2. : a size of typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch and 6 lines to the vertical inch
II. adjective
1. : of, relating to, or constituting an elite
seeking to attain elite status
it cannot … be argued that the elite principle means necessarily a dictatorship — F.G.Wilson
he has … denied holding the elite theory — G.A.Wagner
elite troops
2. : choice , superior , select
it places easily in the elite class of historical fiction — Edmund Fuller
an elite brand of coffee
all the officers are dressed in most elite uniforms — Johnny Johnson & P.E.Green