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

Example Sentences

The remnants beyond the threshold were from an estate that belonged to George Bucknam Dorr, a Boston lawyer, philanthropist, trail builder, bel esprit and a founder of Acadia National Park.

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Lord Philip Bellairs?—A proper gentleman; no fault in him; a bel esprit and an elegant courtier; pleased many, no doubt, but he did not please her overmuch.

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The poor's catechist has little bel esprit, but much saint esprit, much honesty, much truth, too much soft-heartedness, and infinite love.

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Cavalier exiles like Waller, Cowley and Hobbes had come back from the winter of their discontent in Paris, and Saint-Evremond, the typical bel esprit and critic, settled long in England.

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No matter how clever or brilliant she may be, she does not seek tenir salon like the French female bel esprit.

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