The Collaborative International Dictionary
Optimates \Op`ti*ma"tes\, n. pl. [L. See Optimate.] The nobility or aristocracy of ancient Rome, as opposed to the populares.
Wiktionary
n. (plural of optimate English)
Wikipedia
The optimātēs ("Aristocrats", singular optimās; also known as bonī, "Good Men") were the traditionalist Senatorial majority of the late Roman Republic. They wished to limit the power of the popular assemblies and the Tribunes of the Plebs, and to extend the power of the Senate, which was viewed as more dedicated to the interests of the aristocrats who held the reins of power. In particular, they were concerned with the rise of individual generals who, backed by the tribunate, the assemblies and their own soldiers, could shift power from the Senate and aristocracy. They were opposed by the populares.
Many members of this faction were so classified because they used the backing of the aristocracy and the senate to achieve personal goals, not necessarily because they favored the aristocracy over the lower classes. Similarly, the populares did not necessarily champion the lower classes, but often used their support to achieve personal goals.
Usage examples of "optimates".
But the armigers and optimates of the city favored the highest slopes, near the Citadel wall.
When warm weather came, we trooped through the necropolis on our way there--first past the old exalted sepulchers nearest the Citadel wall, then between the vainglorious death houses of the optimates, then through the stony forest of common monuments (we trying to appear highly respectable when we had to pass the burly guards leaning on their polearms).
The armigers and optimates want purer water--not that they drink it, but for their fishponds, and for bathing and boating.
The Optimates were 'an upper-class Christ Church club, mainly old Etonian,' wrote the unknown author.
The political complexion of the Optimates, to whom Haydon's father had also in his day belonged, was unashamedly conservative.
Fanshawe, long dead, was a passionate Empire man and 'the Optimates were his private selection tank for The Great Game', ran the preface.
There was also a school of thought which held that Fanshawe of the Christ Church Optimates had been acting as a talent-spotter for Moscow Centre as well as for the Circus, Haydon explained: 'Really, what can one do with asses like that?
Enough of this and you’ll be on your feet with the optimates screeching for a touchdown.
Even the kings and the optimates, at death, are delivered into the hands of his muffled priests.
All the armigers and even most of the optimates, and of course the exultants have always known.
Ac, propter hoc injuriae genus, Lacedaemonii Lysandrum Ephorum expulerunt: Agin regem (quod nunquam antea apud eos acciderat) necaverunt: exque eo tempore tantae discordiae secutae sunt, ut et tyranni existerint, et optimates exterminarentur, et preclarissime constituta respublica dilaberetur.