Showing Results for "beaux esprits"

See Also:

• 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

"You surely do yourself injustice, sir," said I; "I have certainly heard more good things from you this evening than from any of those beaux esprits by whom you appear to have been so daunted."

From Tales of a Traveller by Irving, Washington

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 Evans, L.

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

From Old and New London Volume I by Thornbury, Walter

During her long life in Richmond her home, now the Westmoreland Club, was a notable salon, where the beaux esprits of the South gathered.

From As I Remember Recollections of American Society during the Nineteenth Century by Gouverneur, Marian

In these Memoirs, Fléchier relates an anecdote of a young lady “who was the Sappho of the country,” and greatly beloved by all the beaux esprits of the time. 

From Pascal by Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)