bel esprit

Sometimes bel-es·prit

[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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bel esprit¹

First recorded in 1630–40; French: literally, “fine mind, wittiness”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bel esprit¹

literally: fine wit