aristocrat

Where does the word "aristocrat" come from? It comes from Greek aristokratia, passing through French before entering English (1789).

Aristocrat’s story begins in Greek: aristokratia meant “rule of the best.” Greek, 'aristos', best, plus 'kratos', power. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as aristocrate. Coined during the French Revolution for nobles. It reached English by 1789 as aristocrat. 'aristocracy' was borrowed much earlier, in the 1500s. Today, aristocrat means a member of the nobility.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient aristokratia "rule of the best", Greek, 'aristos', best, plus 'kratos', power.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1700s aristocrate "aristocrat", coined during the French Revolution for nobles.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1789 aristocrat "noble", 'aristocracy' was borrowed much earlier, in the 1500s.