aristocrat

Definitions

Greek aristos (best) + crat (ruler) = "one of the ruling best." Originally meant to be ruled by the most worthy, but "the best" shifted to mean "the best-born," so an aristocrat is now simply a member of the hereditary upper class.

Why It Means This

The quiet drift hidden in this word: aristos meant "best" in worth or virtue, so aristocracy first meant rule by the most capable. In practice the "best" turned out to be the wealthy and well-born, and over time the meaning slid from merit to bloodline. An aristocrat today is defined by inheritance, not by being the best at anything.

Common Collocations

• 1.wealthy aristocrat富有的贵族
• 2.titled aristocrat有爵位的贵族
• 3.old aristocrat年迈的贵族
• 4.land-owning aristocrat拥有土地的贵族

Example Sentences

• 1.

  She married into the family of a wealthy aristocrat.

• 2.

  The old aristocrat lived alone in a crumbling country house.

• 3.

  Many an aristocrat lost everything during the revolution.