bluestocking

[ bloo-stok-ing ]

noun

1. a woman with considerable scholarly, literary, or intellectual ability or interest.
2. a member of a mid-18th-century London literary circle:

   Lady Montagu was a celebrated bluestocking.

bluestocking

/ ˈbluːˌstɒkɪŋ /

noun

1. derogatory.
   a scholarly or intellectual woman

Other Words From

• bluestocking·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bluestocking¹

1675–85; so called from the informal attire, especially blue woolen instead of black silk stockings, worn by some women of the group bluestocking ( def 2 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bluestocking¹

from the blue worsted stockings worn by members of a C18 literary society

Example Sentences

I am not going to caricature a bluestocking, but to point out one or two real dangers.

From Project Gutenberg

A bluestocking and a sansculotte (not a very usual combination), she was also a woman of the very latest cry in frocks.

From Project Gutenberg

The Bluestocking paused and looked round the circle of interested faces.

From Project Gutenberg

Why, monsieur, she was a very superior woman—a regular bluestocking!

From Project Gutenberg

The don and the bluestocking have to live, so have the cowboy and the cook.

From Project Gutenberg