elite

Where does the word "elite" come from? It comes from Old French eslite, and was adopted directly into English (1820s).

Elite’s story begins in Old French: eslite meant “chosen, selected.” Chosen, selected, from elire (to choose, to select). It reached English by 1820s as elite. Settled as the English word for a select, superior group. Today, elite means a select group considered the best or most powerful within a larger group.

1. Stage 1 · Old French · medieval eslite "chosen, selected", chosen, selected, from elire (to choose, to select).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1820s elite "a select group considered superior to others", settled as the English word for a select, superior group.