beauty

[ byoo-tee ]

SEE DEFINITION OF beauty

nounphysical attractiveness
noungood-looking person
nounadvantage

Synonyms for beauty

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Antonyms for beauty

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EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR BEAUTY

Aspasia said wisely, that the spirit of beauty flows in, only where the proportions are harmonious.

Let young men hear the praise of virtue from the lips of beauty.

This boasted power of intellect—this giddy triumph of beauty—what do they do for you?

"The beauty that lies within has ever a mysterious power," answered Plato.

Now you like it, and you got beauty—only you need more money.

There is a kind of beauty that seems made to be painted on ivory, and such was hers.

He studied Hope's beauty with his eyes, he pondered on all her nobleness.

There is a grandeur in the ruin to be enjoyed, as well as a scene of beauty from its towers.

The beauty of the Turkish women is still a matter of dispute.

And did her beauty gladden me, for that one moment, and then die?

WORD ORIGIN

early 14c., "physical attractiveness," also "goodness, courtesy," from Anglo-French beute, Old French biauté "beauty, seductiveness, beautiful person" (12c., Modern French beauté), earlier beltet, from Vulgar Latin bellitatem (nominative bellitas) "state of being handsome," from Latin bellus "pretty, handsome, charming," in classical Latin used especially of women and children, or ironically or insultingly of men, perhaps from PIE *dw-en-elo-, diminutive of root *deu- "to do, perform, show favor, revere" (see bene-). Famously defined by Stendhal as la promesse de bonheur "the promise of happiness."

Replaced Old English wlite. Concrete meaning "a beautiful woman" is first recorded late 14c. Beauty sleep "sleep before midnight" is attested by 1850. Beauty spot is from 1650s. Beauty parlor is from 1894.

Beauté du diable (literally "devil's beauty") is used as a French phrase in English from 1825.