coryphaeus

n., pl., -phae·i (-fē'ī').

1. The leader of a Greek chorus.
2. A leader or spokesperson.

[Latin, leader, from Greek koruphaios, from koruphē, head.]

the leader of the Greek chorus; hence,
1) the leader of a chorus
2) the leader of a party or school of thought

IN BRIEF: n. - The leader of a group of people with common interests

Tutor's tip: This word was used in the 2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee finals.