Showing results for "beaux esprits"

• plural of bel esprit.

beaux esprits

American  

[boh zes-pree] / boʊ zɛsˈpri /

Sometimes beaux-esprits

noun

French.

1. plural of bel esprit.

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

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Etymology

Origin of beaux esprits

First recorded in 1630–40; see origin at bel esprit ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

beaux esprits

Oxenstiern.—Those beaux esprits judged according to their predominant passion. 

From Dialogues of the Dead by Henry Morley

Sir Walter Raleigh, previously to his unfortunate engagement with Cobham and others, had instituted a meeting of beaux esprits at the Mermaid, a celebrated tavern in Friday Street.

From Inns and Taverns of Old London by Henry C. (Henry Charles) Shelley

Merely a few bachelor friends of the Comandante—the beaux esprits of the place—including the fashionable Echevarria.

From The White Chief A Legend of Northern Mexico by L. Evans

Fontenelle, Voltaire, Duclos, and Crebillon, who, in their character of beaux esprits, had the entrée of the house, spread everywhere abroad throughout the fashionable world the praises of her beauty, her grace, and her talents.

From International Miscellany of Literature, Art and Science, Vol. 1, No. 3, Oct. 1, 1850 by Various

Besides these, certain beaux esprits of Prague, among them W. Marsano, a strikingly handsome and charming man, were frequent visitors at our house.

From My Life — Volume 1 by Richard Wagner