aristocratic
Of noble birth
Aristocratic describes qualities associated with the aristocracy—the hereditary nobility or upper class.
It can mean literally belonging to that class: aristocratic families, aristocratic titles.
More often it describes manner, bearing, or taste suggesting refinement and privilege: her aristocratic features, an aristocratic disdain for manual labor.
The word can carry admiration for elegance or criticism of snobbishness, depending on context.
System of noble ranks
- dukeHighest-ranking nobleman
- duchessWoman of ducal rank
- countessFeminine noble rank
- baronLow-ranking peer
viscount · marquess · earl · baronet · baronial · ducal · earldom · lordship
Landed aristocratic residence
- manorialOf a lord's estate
- estateProperty and grounds
- landedCame to rest
- fiefdomFeudal territory under lord
chateau · palazzo · castle · country-house · grounds · parkland · demesne · holdings
Purified or cultured
- dignifiedComposed and respectable
- cultivatedImproved through nurture
- distinguishedNotable and respected
- courtlyRefined and dignified
genteel · poised · stately · regal · elegant · gracious · polished · urbane
Record of descent
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
- hereditaryPassed through generations
blueblood · highborn · bloodline · genealogy · patrimony · birthright · descent · forebears
Disdainfully proud
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
- imperiousArrogantly authoritative
aloof · pompous · snobbish · pretentious · overbearing · patronizing · contemptuous · hoity-toity
Superior select group
- privilegedHaving special advantages
- exclusiveLimited to one group
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- upper-classSocially and economically privileged
rarefied · select · insular · clannish · debutante · cotillion · establishment · posh
peerage
System of noble ranks
baron · viscount · marquess · earl · baronet · baronial · ducal · earldom · lordship · ladyship
manor
Landed aristocratic residence
fiefdom · chateau · palazzo · castle · country-house · grounds · parkland · demesne · holdings · inheritance
refined
Purified or cultured
- dignifiedComposed and respectable
- cultivatedImproved through nurture
- distinguishedNotable and respected
courtly · genteel · poised · stately · regal · elegant · gracious · polished · urbane · gentlemanly
pedigree
Record of descent
hereditary · blueblood · highborn · bloodline · genealogy · patrimony · birthright · descent · forebears · progenitor
haughty
Disdainfully proud
- superciliousArrogantly contemptuous of others
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
imperious · aloof · pompous · snobbish · pretentious · overbearing · patronizing · contemptuous · hoity-toity · highfalutin
elite
Superior select group
- privilegedHaving special advantages
- exclusiveLimited to one group
- gentryHighborn but not noble
upper-class · rarefied · select · insular · clannish · debutante · cotillion · establishment · posh · upper-crust
heritage
Inherited cultural legacy
courtier · protocol · ceremony · etiquette · customs · ballroom · hunting · equestrian · falconry · venerable
aristocraticcommon
Widespread and unremarkable
plebeian · lowborn · baseborn · working-class · lower-class
aristocraticdemocratic
Government by the people
egalitarian · populist · republican · classless · proletarian
- French aristocratTitled member of ancien régime
- aristocratic familyLineage of hereditary rank
- aristocratic familiesHighborn lineages with titles
- aristocratic circlesElite social networks of nobles
- aristocratic societySocial world of nobles
- aristocratic lifestyleUpper-class manner of living