class
UK[klɑːs]US[klæs]
n
A group of students who are taught together
n
A group of people or things with similar characteristics or qualities
n
A social or economic division in a society
n
A style or high quality that is impressive
v
To consider someone or something as belonging to a particular group
Etymology
The word 'class' entered English in the 16th century from the Latin 'classis', which originally referred to a division or summons of the Roman people, particularly for military purposes. The Latin term itself is of uncertain origin, though it may be related to the verb 'calare', meaning 'to call' or 'to summon'. Over time, the meaning broadened from a group called together for a specific purpose to any systematic division or grouping, such as ranks of society or categories of students. This evolution from a concrete military or civic summons to an abstract system of categorization illustrates the development of social and educational terminology.
Analysis
The word 'class' is a simplex loanword from Latin. It does not contain separable, productive morphemes in modern English spelling.
Examples
She is the top student in her mathematics class.
There is a clear class divide in the society depicted in the novel.
The hotel offers a level of service that is truly in a class of its own.