bel esprit

English

Etymology

Borrowed from French bel esprit.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /bɛlɛˈspɹi/

Noun

bel esprit (plural beaux esprits)

1. A very witty or clever person.
   • 1824, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], Tales of a Traveller, (please specify |part=1 to 4), Philadelphia, Pa.: H[enry] C[harles] Carey & I[saac] Lea, […], →OCLC:

     a man of letters and a bel esprit

French

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /bɛ.l‿ɛs.pʁi/ ~ /be.l‿ɛs.pʁi/

Noun

bel esprit m (plural beaux esprits)

1. wit, genius, bel esprit