bel esprit

American  

[bel es-pree] / bɛl ɛsˈpri /

Sometimes bel-esprit

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.

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bel esprit British  

/ bɛl ɛspri /

noun

1. a witty or clever person

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Etymology

Origin of bel esprit

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

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.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2014

French etiquette and fashions came in and French phrases of convenience—such as coup de grace, bel esprit, etc.—began to appear in English prose.

From Brief History of English and American Literature by Beers, Henry A. (Henry Augustin)

Amongst others a M. Perrin introduced himself to me; he had formerly been director of the Opera Comique, and was now a well-to-do bel esprit and painter, and later became director of the Grand Opera.

From My Life — Volume 2 by Wagner, Richard

I know not how this weary interval would have worn away, had it not been for the fortunate circumstance of our meeting with a bel esprit among the boarders there.

From Domestic Manners of the Americans by Trollope, Fanny

Thus it will be seen that the Minister's daughter played her rôle of fine lady and bel esprit very fairly in an atmosphere so unlike the air that fine ladies breathe.

From Phoebe, Junior by Oliphant, Mrs. (Margaret)