optimate
/ˈɒptɪmət
/noun (plural optimates /ɒptɪˈmeɪtiːz/)
1A member of the patrician order in ancient Rome: he privately urged Cicero to determined action on behalf of the optimates...
- The death of Pompey signalled the end of the optimate cause, and the beginning of Caesar's supremacy.
- As important as Africanus or Caesar in the history of the Republic, Sulla was a touchstone both for the popular and the optimate party.
- Hostile optimate senators and personal enemies were quick to take advantage of the situation to bring down populares like Saturninus and Glaucia.
1.1A noble or aristocrat.It is impossible, that the People, as one Body Politick, should covenant with the Aristocracy or Optimates....
- As Nietzsche said they would, the plebs have got steadily Denser, the optimates Quicker still on the uptake.
- The sovereign body empowered kings, princes and optimates and could remove them.
Origin
Late 16th century: from Latin plural optimates 'aristocrats', noun use of optimas 'aristocratic', from optimus 'best'.