aristocracy

Where does the word "aristocracy" come from? It comes from Greek aristokratia, passing through French before entering English (1500s).

Aristocracy’s story begins in Greek: aristokratia meant “rule by the best citizens.” Literally rule by the best, from aristos (best) and kratos (power). By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as aristocratie. Carried into French political vocabulary. It reached English by 1500s as aristocracy. Settled as the word for a hereditary ruling class. Today, aristocracy means the highest class in society, especially the hereditary nobility.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient aristokratia "rule by the best citizens", literally rule by the best, from aristos (best) and kratos (power).
2. Stage 2 · French · 1500s aristocratie "rule by a privileged class", carried into French political vocabulary.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s aristocracy "a class of hereditary nobility", settled as the word for a hereditary ruling class.