aristokrat

Aristokrat is a term used in several languages to denote a member of the aristocracy, a social class historically characterized by hereditary privilege, land ownership, and political influence. The word originates from the Greek aristokratia, from aristos meaning "best" and kratos meaning "power" or "rule". Through Latin and French, the term spread into many European languages in forms such as aristocratie, aristokratie, and aristokrat, among others.

Historically, aristocrats formed the ruling strata in many feudal and early modern societies. They often held hereditary titles and seats in legislative or advisory bodies, and their social status was tied to land, wealth, and lineage. The concept of aristocracy is distinct from, yet overlapping with, legal nobility or peerage in some countries; in others, the aristocratic class is defined more by wealth, education, and cultural capital than by formal titles.

In modern states the legal privileges associated with aristocracy have largely diminished, though the term remains in use as a sociological or cultural category. In everyday language, an aristocrat can refer to someone perceived as refined or elitist, or to a person belonging to a historically privileged lineage. In literature and media, aristocrats are often depicted as symbols of tradition, privilege, or social distance.

Usage and nuance of the term vary by country and language. Some languages retain official or historical distinctions, while others use the term as a generic descriptor for a member of the traditional upper class. Related concepts include aristocracy, nobility, peerage, and gentry.