class

noun

1. a : a group of persons who have some common relationship to a person making a will and are designated to receive a gift under the will but whose identities will not be determined until sometime in the future — see also class gift at gift

   b : a group of securities (as stocks or bonds) having similar distinguishing features (as voting rights or priority of redemption)

   c : a group whose members are represented in a class action

   d : protected class

   e : a group of crimes forming a category distinguished by a common characteristic (as the use of violence or the requirement for a maximum penalty) murder is a class A felony