[elite] n [F elite, fr. OF eslite, fr. fem. of eslit, pp. of eslire to choose, fr. L eligere] (1823) 1 a sing or pl in constr: the choice part: cream "the ~ of the entertainment world" b sing or pl in constr: the best of a class "superachievers who dominate the computer ~ --Marilyn Chase" c sing or pl in constr: the socially superior part of society "how the ~ live --A P World" "how the French-speaking ~ ... was changing --Economist" d: a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence "members of the ruling ~" "the intellectual ~s of the country" e: a member of such an elite--usu. used in pl. "the ~s ... , pursuing their studies in Europe --Robert Wernick"
2: a typewriter type providing 12 characters to the linear inch -- elite adj