aestheticism

[es-thet-uh-siz-uhm or, especially Brit., ees-]

aes·thet·i·cism

[es-thet-uh-siz-uhm or, especially Brit., ees-]
noun
1.
the acceptance of artistic beauty and taste as a fundamental standard, ethical and other standards being secondary.
2.
an exaggerated devotion to art, music, or poetry, with indifference to practical matters.
3.
a late Victorian movement in British and American art characterized by a dedicatedly eclectic search for beauty and by an interest in old English, Japanese, and classical art.


Origin:
1855–60; aesthetic + -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Aestheticism is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
Collins
World English Dictionary
aestheticism or sometimes (US) estheticism (iːsˈθɛtɪˌsɪzəm, ɪs-, iːsˈθɛtɪˌsɪzəm, ɪs-)
 
n
1.  the doctrine that aesthetic principles are of supreme importance and that works of art should be judged accordingly
2.  sensitivity to beauty, esp in art, music, literature, etc
 
estheticism or sometimes (US) estheticism
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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