worthy
n. countablen. an important or famous person in a local area or organization. It is often used to talk about people who have high social status but might seem a bit boring or old-fashioned.
n. a person of notable importance or high status within a specific community or organization. Often used with a slightly humorous or mildly mocking tone to describe local officials or prominent figures.
The local worthies gathered at the town hall for the ceremony.
The front row of the theater was reserved for city worthies and their families during the opening night gala.
Despite the gravity of the economic crisis, the local worthies seemed more concerned with the seating arrangements for the upcoming centennial parade than with practical solutions.
From Middle English worthy, wurthi, from Old English *weorþiġ (“worthy”), equivalent to worth + -y. Cognate with Dutch waardig (“worthy”), Middle Low German werdig (“worthy”), German würdig (“worthy”), Swedish värdig (“worthy”), Icelandic verðugt (“worthy”).
From Middle English worthien, wurthien, from Old English weorþian (“to esteem, honor, worship, distinguish, celebrate, exalt, praise, adorn, deck, enrich, reward”), from Proto-Germanic werþōną (“to be worthy, estimate, appreciate, appraise”), from Proto-Indo-European wert- (“to turn, wind”). Cognate with German werten (“to rate, judge, grade, score”), Swedish värdera (“to evaluate, rate, size up, assess, estimate”), Icelandic virða (“to respect, esteem”).
Commonly used in the plural form ('worthies') to refer to a group of influential people in a small community.