pulchritude

American  

[puhl-kri-tood, -tyood] / ˈpʌl krɪˌtud, -ˌtyud /

noun

1. physical beauty; comeliness.

   Synonyms:

   allure , beauty

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pulchritude British  

/ ˈpʌlkrɪˌtjuːd /

noun

1. formal  physical beauty

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Usage

What does pulchritude mean? Pulchritude means physical beauty or attractiveness.Pulchritude is a fancy (and outdated) way of talking about how someone or something is good-looking. It’s quite rare and, for that reason, usually used for humorous effect.The adjective form of pulchritude is pulchritudinous, meaning beautiful.Example: The makeup artist kept talking about the pulchritude of my epidermis, which I guess means I have nice skin.

Other Word Forms

• pulchritudinous adjective

Etymology

Origin of pulchritude

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English, from Latin pulchritūdō “beauty,” equivalent to pulchri- (combining form of pulcher “beautiful”) + -tūdō noun suffix; -tude

Example Sentences

Why, at this moment celebrating body positivity and diversity, the natural pulchritude of all figures, do women continue to wrap wire around their breasts, hoisting them inches above their innate resting position?

From Washington Post

“It has more punch and pulchritude packed into its 51 minutes than most West End musicals twice as long,” one newspaper commented.

From New York Times

The place of beauty in our lives is a profound subject, and Harmon offers a complex understanding that respects the hazardous yet life-enhancing power of physical pulchritude.

From Los Angeles Times

Please share all your favourite tips, tricks and techniques for harnessing the power, panache and pulchritude of Windows 10.

From The Guardian

In palette and pulchritude, it is neutral and unadorned.

From New York Times