beaux esprits

[ boh zes-pree ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, French.

plural of bel esprit:
In an era ironically called the Enlightenment, these young women were discouraged from becoming beaux esprits.

First recorded in 1630–40; bel esprit ( def )

The literary world is divided into three corresponding classes—rudits, philosophes and beaux esprits.

Another source of torment to me not less considerable was that of the beaux-esprits of the Ulemas of the city of Khiva.

She has uncommon, sense and knowledge for a woman, and her house is the resort of one set of 'les beaux esprits.

One could hardly find a knocker at a door in a whole street after a midnight expedition of these beaux esprits.

I perceive here will be a wit-combat between these beaux-esprits.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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