▪ I. † eˈlite, n.1 Obs.
In 4 ellite, 5 elyte.
[a. OF. elit (in same use), pa. pple. of elire: see elite v.]
A person chosen; spec. a bishop elect; = elect B. 2.
| 1387 Trevisa tr. Higden (Rolls) VII. 155 Þe pope see of Rome was fer fro þe elites [Harl. MS. 2261 men electe; Harl. MS. 1900 ellites; 14.. Caxton ellysers; Lat. ab ipsis electis]. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. vii. vii. 300 Rychard Byschape in his stede Chosyn he wes concorditer And elyte twa yhere bad eftyr. |
▪ II. † eˈlite, n.2 Obs. rare—1.
[a. OFr. elite = next.]
Election.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 209 Þe pape wild not consent, he quassed þer elite. |
▪ III. † ˈelite, v. Obs.
Also 5 elyte; pa. tense elit.
[f. OF. (eslit) elit, obs. pa. pple. of the verb elire to elect.]
trans. To choose; to elect to office.
| c 1400 Destr. Troy 1491 Of his Deghter..One Creusa was cald..þat Eneas afterward elit to wed. 1461 T. Denyes in Paston Letters, No. 397 (1874) II. 22 He may not of reson do so largely..be cause he is elyted, as the Comons myght. |