˜yÐÄvlog

Advertisement

Advertisement

bel esprit

[ bel es-pree ]

noun

French.
plural beaux esprits
  1. a person of great wit or intellect:

    He found this charming bel esprit, not among his university colleagues, but in the person of a young widow on the outskirts of town.



bel esprit

/ bɛl ɛspri /

noun

  1. a witty or clever person
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of bel esprit1

First recorded in 1630–40; French: literally, “fine mind, wittinessâ€
Discover More

˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of bel esprit1

literally: fine wit
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The remnants beyond the threshold were from an estate that belonged to George Bucknam Dorr, a Boston lawyer, philanthropist, trail builder, bel esprit and a founder of Acadia National Park.

From

Lord Philip Bellairs?—A proper gentleman; no fault in him; a bel esprit and an elegant courtier; pleased many, no doubt, but he did not please her overmuch.

From

The poor's catechist has little bel esprit, but much saint esprit, much honesty, much truth, too much soft-heartedness, and infinite love.

From

Cavalier exiles like Waller, Cowley and Hobbes had come back from the winter of their discontent in Paris, and Saint-Evremond, the typical bel esprit and critic, settled long in England.

From

No matter how clever or brilliant she may be, she does not seek tenir salon like the French female bel esprit.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement