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bas bleu

British  
/ bɑ blø /

noun

  1. a bluestocking; intellectual woman

"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

Etymology

Origin of bas bleu

C18: from French translation of English bluestocking

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It was attended by two Marchionesses, of the bas bleu order; and by the whole corps of the confr�res bibliographiques of the Royal Library.

From A Bibliographical, Antiquarian and Picturesque Tour in France and Germany, Volume Two by Dibdin, Thomas Frognall

She always reminds me of the pretty bas bleu immortalized by the 'Spectator'—or is it the 'Tattler'?

From Jessamine A Novel by Harland, Marion

Au reste, she has nothing of the bas bleu about her, and is very quiet and agreeable.

From The Letters of Charles Dickens Vol. 1, 1833-1856 by Hogarth, Georgina

Greek, French, Italian, metaphysics, and private authorship—pretty well for a miss in her teens, and surely a promissory-note on the bas bleu joint-stock company!—a note which she discharged in full when it became due.

From Chambers's Edinburgh Journal, No. 438 Volume 17, New Series, May 22, 1852 by Chambers, Robert

One is deemed a pedant—a terrible charge at Paris!—or a bas bleu, which is still worse, however free the individual may be from any pretensions to merit such charges.

From The Idler in France by Blessington, Marguerite, Countess of