/ eɪˈliːt; NAmE ; ɪˈliːt/ noun
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] a group of people in a society, etc. who are powerful and have a lot of influence, because they are rich, intelligent, etc. :
a member of the ruling / intellectual elite
Public opinion is influenced by the small elite who control the media.
In these countries, only the elite can afford an education for their children.
► elite adjective [ only before noun ]:
an elite group of senior officials
an elite military academy
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WORD ORIGIN
late 18th cent.: from French élite selection, choice, from élire to elect, from a variant of Latin eligere , from e- (variant of ex- ) out + legere to pick.