Aristocratical

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Pertaining to a privileged social class believed to hold superiority through noble lineage or status
2. Characterizing the traits or outlooks typical of the ruling class, often suggesting exclusivity or entitlement
3. Connected with the noble class or those with hereditary rank; displaying characteristics associated with social elite attitudes

Etymology: "Aristocratical" is a plain English formation: "aristocrat" with the adjective-making ending "-ical" added to it. The base word "aristocrat" was itself borrowed from French "aristocrate," which came from the Greek "aristokratia," meaning rule by the best. The Greek root "aristos" meant "best," and "kratia" meant "rule" or "power," so an aristocracy was originally a government of the most excellent. Over time the sense shifted from excellence in government to hereditary privilege. The ending traces back through Latin "-icus" and Old French "-ique," entering Middle English as "-ic" and then combining with "-al" to produce "-ical." English speakers used this doubled form to make many adjectives from nouns, and "aristocratical" follows the pattern of forms such as "politic" and "politicall." It is a longer variant of "aristocratic," with the same meaning.

Synonyms: noble, elitist

Antonyms: common, lower-class