Aristocracy comes from the Greek word aristokratia, which is a combination of the words aristos, meaning "best" or "ruling class," and kratos, meaning "power" or "rule." Therefore, aristocracy literally means "rule by the best." The word was originally used to describe a form of government in which the ruling class was composed of the most virtuous and talented people in society. Over time, the term aristocracy has come to be used more generally to refer to any social class of high status and wealth, regardless of how they achieved their power or status.