OPTIMACY
Op"ti*ma*cy, n. Etym: [Cf. F. optimatie. See Optimate.]
1. Government by the nobility. [R.] Howell.
2. Collectively, the nobility. [R.]
OPTIMATE Op"ti*mate, a. Etym: [L. optimas, -atis, adj., optimates, n. pl., the adherents of the best men, the aristocrats, fr. optimus the best.]
Defn: Of or pertaining to the nobility or aristocracy. [R.] — n.
Defn: A nobleman or aristocrat; a chief man in a state or city. [R.]
Chapman.
OPTIMATES
Op`ti*ma"tes, n. pl. Etym: [L. See Optimate.]
Defn: The nobility or aristocracy of ancient Rome, as opposed to the populares.
OPTIME
Op"ti*me, n. Etym: [L., adv. fr. optimus the best.]
Defn: One of those who stand in the second rank of honors, immediately after the wranglers, in the University of Cambridge, England. They are divided into senior and junior optimes.