The nobility (11)
I believe the answer is:
aristocracy
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">the nobility</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('aristocracy' can be a synonym of 'nobility')</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for aristocracy that I've seen before include "Upper classes" , "Privileged class" , "Noble class" , "Upper class, nobility" , "those born ahead of others?" .)