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Elite vs. Legend — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 29, 2024
Elite refers to a group or class considered superior in terms of ability or qualities, while legend is a story from the past, often mythic, handed down and popularly accepted as historical.
Elite vs. Legend — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Elite and Legend

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Key Differences

Elite typically describes individuals or groups distinguished by their superior abilities, status, or qualities. This can be in various contexts such as sports, academia, or social classes. On the other hand, a legend often refers to a narrative or tale that, despite its historical roots, has been embellished with mythical or fantastical elements over time.
Elite members are often recognized for their achievements or high status in a specific domain, suggesting exclusivity and exceptional skill. Whereas legends encompass tales of heroes, events, or artifacts, embodying cultural or moral values important to a society, often with a lesson or moral.
In society, the term elite is sometimes viewed with a degree of admiration or envy, as it signifies a position of power or achievement. Legends, however, are approached with reverence or curiosity, serving as a bridge to the past and a means of understanding cultural identity and values.
While elites often influence contemporary decisions, policies, or trends due to their position and power, legends influence current cultures, beliefs, and traditions through the moral and ethical lessons they impart, despite not being tangible or alive.
The differentiation between elite and legend also lies in their temporal relevance; elite status is usually contemporaneous, relating to the present or recent past. In contrast, legends are timeless, with their significance and stories transcending generations without losing their essence or appeal.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

A select group known for superior abilities or status.
A traditional story considered historical but unauthenticated.

Context

Social, professional, or academic spheres.
Cultural, historical narratives.

Basis of Status

Achievements, abilities, or social standing.
Mythical or heroic deeds, moral lessons.

Temporal Aspect

Contemporary or recent past.
Timeless, transcending generations.

Perception

Often viewed with admiration or envy.
Viewed with reverence or curiosity.

Compare with Definitions

Elite

Individuals with superior skills or qualities.
The elite athletes competed for the gold medal.

Legend

A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated.
The legend of King Arthur has fascinated people for centuries.

Elite

The most powerful, rich, or talented people within a group or society.
The city's elite gathered for the annual charity ball.

Legend

A person who is legendary or famous, especially in a particular field.
He is a legend in the music industry.

Elite

A group or class that is considered superior to the rest.
The elite forces were deployed for the mission.

Legend

A narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history.
Legends of ancient heroes are part of the nation's heritage.

Elite

The highest or most skilled part of a group.
She was among the elite in her academic field.

Legend

An extremely famous or notorious person, usually in a specific field.
The retired athlete became a legend for future generations.

Elite

Top-ranking or highest-level individuals or groups.
The company's management is considered elite in the industry.

Legend

A legend is a genre of folklore that consists of a narrative featuring human actions perceived or believed both by teller and listeners to have taken place within human history. Narratives in this genre may demonstrate human values, and possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude.

Elite

In political and sociological theory, the elite (French élite, from Latin eligere, to select or to sort out) are a small group of powerful people who hold a disproportionate amount of wealth, privilege, political power, or skill in a society. Defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, the "elite" are "those people or organizations that are considered the best or most powerful compared to others of a similar type."American sociologist C. Wright Mills states that the power elite members recognize other members' mutual exalted position in society.

Legend

An unverified story handed down from earlier times, especially one popularly believed to be historical.

Elite

A group or class of persons considered to be superior to others because of their intelligence, social standing, or wealth
"Auguste Comte ... believed that in the age of science society should be ruled by an elite of scientists" (Lewis A. Coser).

Legend

A body or collection of such stories.

Elite

A member of such a group
"Elites don't grant us [sociologists] interviews. They don't let us hang out at their country clubs" (Sudhir Venkatesh).

Legend

See urban legend.

Elite

The best or most skilled members of a group
The elite of professional tennis.

Legend

One that inspires legends or achieves legendary fame
She is a legend in her own time.

Elite

A size of type on a typewriter, equal to 12 characters per linear inch.

Legend

An inscription or title on an object, such as a coin.

Elite

Of high birth or social position; aristocratic or patrician.

Legend

An explanatory caption accompanying an illustration.

Elite

Representing the choicest or most select of a group.

Legend

An explanatory table or list of the symbols appearing on a map or chart.

Elite

A special group or social class of people which have a superior intellectual, social or economic status as, the elite of society.

Legend

An unrealistic story depicting past events.

Elite

Someone who is among the best at a certain task.

Legend

A story of unknown origin describing plausible but extraordinary past events.
The legend of Troy was discovered to have a historical basis.

Elite

(typography) A typeface with 12 characters per inch.

Legend

A plausible story set in the historical past, but whose historicity is uncertain.
The legend of Robin Hood

Elite

A choice or select body; the flower; as, the élite of society.

Legend

A story in which a kernel of truth is embellished to an unlikely degree.
The 1984 Rose Bowl prank has spawned many legends. Here's the real story.

Elite

See Army organization, Switzerland.

Legend

A fabricated backstory for a spy, with associated documents and records.
According to his legend, he once worked for the Red Cross, spreading humanitarian aid in Africa.

Elite

A group or class of persons enjoying superior intellectual or social or economic status

Legend

A person related to a legend or legends.

Elite

Selected as the best;
An elect circle of artists
Elite colleges

Legend

A leading protagonist in a historical legend.
Achilles is a legend in Greek culture.

Legend

A person with legend-like qualities, such as extraordinary accomplishment.
Michael Jordan stands as a legend in basketball.

Legend

A key to the symbols and color codes on a map, chart, etc.
According to the legend on the map, that building is a school.

Legend

An inscription, motto, or title, especially one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon a heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.

Legend

A musical composition set to a poetical story.

Legend

(naval) The design and specification of a vessel.

Legend

To tell or narrate; to recount.

Legend

That which is appointed to be read; especially, a chronicle or register of the lives of saints, formerly read at matins, and in the refectories of religious houses.

Legend

A story respecting saints; especially, one of a marvelous nature.

Legend

Any wonderful story coming down from the past, but not verifiable by historical record; a myth; a fable.
And in this legend all that glorious deed Read, whilst you arm you.

Legend

An inscription, motto, or title, esp. one surrounding the field in a medal or coin, or placed upon an heraldic shield or beneath an engraving or illustration.

Legend

To tell or narrate, as a legend.

Legend

A story about mythical or supernatural beings or events

Legend

Brief description accompanying an illustration

Common Curiosities

How does an elite differ from a legend in sports?

An elite athlete is recognized for their superior current performance and skill, while a sports legend is admired for their past achievements and enduring influence on the sport.

Is "elite" always a positive term?

While "elite" often carries a positive connotation of excellence, it can sometimes be viewed negatively, associated with exclusivity or elitism.

Are legends always based on historical facts?

Legends typically originate from historical events or figures but are embellished over time, blending fact with fiction.

Can a legend be a real person?

Yes, a real person can become a legend if their life or deeds are celebrated and handed down through stories, often with added mythical elements.

How do legends influence culture?

Legends convey values, morals, and cultural identity, influencing beliefs, traditions, and social norms across generations.

What defines someone as elite?

Someone with superior abilities, achievements, or social status in their field or society is considered elite.

What role do elites play in society?

Elites often play significant roles in shaping policies, trends, and opinions within their societies due to their influential positions or abilities.

Can anyone become part of the elite?

Entry into elite circles typically requires exceptional skill, achievement, or social status, which may or may not be accessible to everyone.

Is the concept of elite the same worldwide?

While the concept of the elite is global, the criteria and perception of who qualifies as elite can vary significantly between cultures and societies.

How do legends evolve over time?

Legends evolve through oral and written storytelling, with details often changing to reflect the values and morals of the time.

Can legends change a society's view on a historical event?

Yes, legends can significantly impact a society's perception of historical events, often romanticizing or vilifying certain aspects to align with cultural narratives.

What distinguishes a legend from a myth?

Legends are rooted in historical events or figures and are perceived as having happened within human history, whereas myths are symbolic tales that represent universal truths and are not tied to specific historical events.

Can a legend be verified?

While some aspects of legends may be rooted in history, their mythical and embellished nature often makes them unverifiable as historical fact.

Why are legends important to communities?

Legends are vital for communities as they provide a sense of identity, historical continuity, and shared values.

How is someone's elite status determined?

Elite status is typically determined by a combination of factors including skill, achievement, wealth, and social influence within a specific context.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.

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