A small group of people who have the most power, money, or status in a society or field. It can also describe something of the highest quality.
From French 'élite' meaning 'selection, chosen people,' from Old French 'eslite,' the feminine of 'eslit' (chosen), past participle of 'eslire' (to choose), from Latin 'eligere' (to choose). The idea is of those 'picked out' from the rest.
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