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élite

elite

noun eh-LEET Rare

Usage Note

Élite is used both as a noun (l'élite de la société) and as an attributive modifier (un corps d'élite, an elite unit). France's system of grandes écoles produces what is commonly called les élites — a small, highly educated governing class. The word is the same in English, having been borrowed from French.

Examples

"Elle fait partie de l'élite intellectuelle."

Natural Translation

She is part of the intellectual elite.

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