beaux esprits

[ boh zes-pree ]

noun

, French.

1. plural of bel esprit:

   In an era ironically called the Enlightenment, these young women were discouraged from becoming beaux esprits.

Word History and Origins

Origin of beaux esprits¹

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

Example Sentences

Il y exprime ses idées ou plutôt ses subtilités esthétiques; il y «cause» plus qu’ailleurs, à tel point que trois de ces essais sur cinq sont dialogués; l’auteur s’entretient avec des personnages qu’il suppose aussi cultivés, aussi beaux esprits que lui-même: «s’entretient» est beaucoup dire, car ce sont plutôt des contradicteurs auxquels il suggère les objections dont il a besoin pour poursuivre le développement et le triomphe de ses arguments.

From Project Gutenberg

"Fontenelle and La Motte, who are but beaux esprits, will never permit a man like you to seat himself beside them, for if you were of the Academy, would you not be the king of it?"

From Project Gutenberg

Up to this time, Favart's pieces had appeared anonymously, but, encouraged by the enthusiastic reception accorded to the play in question, he now decided to emerge from his shell, and, in accordance with this resolution, gave a dinner to some of the most noted beaux esprits and authors of the time.

From Project Gutenberg

Everything seemed infinitely puerile to a man who had contributed so long to the making of history; it had become impossible for him to attach any importance to the little verses of his "beaux esprits," or to become impassioned over impaled birds or even an antique medal.

From Project Gutenberg

In this way one can take pleasure in hardening himself against anything; hence beaux esprits, painters and their connoisseurs often have no tears or too many for actual misery, for the mere reason that they regard it as artistic.

From Project Gutenberg