̈ɪklɑ:s n. & v. --n. 1
any set of persons or things grouped
together, or graded or differentiated
from others
esp. by
quality (first class;
economy class). 2 a a
division or
order of
society (upper class;
professional classes). b a
caste system, a system of
social classes. c (the classes)
archaic the rich or
educated. 3 colloq.
distinction or
high quality in
appearance,
behaviour,
etc.; stylishness. 4 a a
group of students or pupils
taught together. b the
occasion when they meet. c
their course of
instruction. 5 US
all the
college or school students of the
same standing or graduating in a
given year (the class of 1990). 6 (in conscripted armies) all the recruits of a given year (the 1950 class). 7
Brit. a division of candidates
according to
merit in an
examination. 8 Biol. a
grouping of organisms, the
next major rank
below a division or
phylum. --v.tr.
assign to a class or
category. øclass-conscious
aware of
and reacting to social divisions or one's
place in a system of social class. class-consciousness
this awareness. class-list Brit. a list of candidates in an examination
with the class achieved by
each. class
war conflict between social classes. in a class of (or on)
its (or one's)
own unequalled. no class colloq.
lacking quality or distinction. [L classis assembly]
