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.
The word 'elite' doesn’t just mean 'top'; it literally means 'the chosen ones.' That raises a question: chosen by whom, and by what standards? The word quietly suggests that social status is not just earned but also granted by a system of selection.
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