Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Beauty
Beau′ty
(bū′ty̆)
, Noun.
pl.
Beauties
(bū′tĭz)
. [OE.
beaute
, beute
, OF. beauté
, biauté
, Pr. beltat
, F. beauté
, fr. an assumed LL. bellitas
, from L. bellus
pretty. See Beau
.] 1.
An assemblage of graces or properties pleasing to the eye, the ear, the intellect, the æsthetic faculty, or the moral sense.
Beauty
consists of a certain composition of color and figure, causing delight in the beholder. Locke.
The production of
beauty
by a multiplicity of symmetrical parts uniting in a consistent whole. Wordsworth.
The old definition of
beauty
, in the Roman school, was, “multitude in unity;” and there is no doubt that such is the principle of beauty
. Coleridge.
2.
A particular grace, feature, ornament, or excellence; anything beautiful;
as, the
. beauties
of nature3.
A beautiful person, esp. a beautiful woman.
All the admired
beauties
of Verona. Shakespeare
4.
Prevailing style or taste; rage; fashion.
[Obs.]
She stained her hair yellow, which was then the
beauty
. Jer. Taylor.
Beauty spot
, a patch or spot placed on the face with intent to heighten beauty by contrast.
Webster 1828 Edition
Beauty
BEAU'TY
,Noun.
1.
An assemblage of graces, or an assemblage of properties in the form of the person or any other object, which pleases the eye. In the person, due proportion or symmetry of parts constitutes the most essential property to which we annex the term beauty. In the face, the regularity and symmetry of the features, the color of the skin, the expression of the eye, are among the principal properties which constitute beauty. But as it is hardly possible to define all the properties which constitute beauty, we may observe in general, that beauty consists in whatever pleases the eye of the beholder, whether in the human body, in a tree, in a landscape, or in any other object. Beauty is intrinsic, and perceived by the eye at first view, or relative, to perceive which the aid of the understanding and reflection is requisite. Thus, the beauty of a machine is not perceived, till we understand its uses, and adaptation to its purpose. This is called the beauty of utility. By any easy transition, the word beauty is used to express what is pleasing to the other senses, or to the understanding. Thus we say, the beauty of a thought, of a remark, of sound, &c.
So beauty, armed with virtue, bows the soul
With a commanding, but a sweet control.
2.
A particular grace, feature or ornament; any particular thing which is beautiful and pleasing; as the beauties of nature.3.
A particular excellence, or a part which surpasses in excellence that with which it is united; as the beauties of an author.4.
A beautiful person, In scripture, the chief dignity or ornament. 2 Sam.1.5.
In the arts, symmetry of parts; harmony; justness of composition.6.
Joy and gladness. Is.61. Order, prosperity,peace,holiness, Ezek. 26.BEAU'TY
,Verb.
T.
Definition 2024
beauty
beauty
English
Noun
beauty (countable and uncountable, plural beauties)
- The property, quality or state of being "that which pleases merely by being perceived" (Aquinas); that which is attractive, pleasing, fine or good looking; comeliness.
- 1900, Charles W. Chesnutt, The House Behind the Cedars, Chapter I,
- Warwick's first glance had revealed the fact that the young woman was strikingly handsome, with a stately beauty seldom encountered.
- 1988, "… beauty and recollection, like danger, glamour, greed, hunger- everything but disappointment and desire- were concepts belonging to other people.” -Second Son, Robert Ferro
- 1900, Charles W. Chesnutt, The House Behind the Cedars, Chapter I,
- Someone who is beautiful.
- Brigitte Bardot was a renowned beauty.
- Something that is particularly good or pleasing.
- That phrasing is a beauty.
- What a goal, what a beauty.
- An excellent or egregious example of something.
- (with the definite article) The excellence, e.g. the genius
- The beauty of the deal is it costs nothing!
- (physics, obsolete) A beauty quark (now called bottom quark).
- Beauty treatment; cosmetology.
- (obsolete) Prevailing style or taste; rage; fashion.
- Jeremy Taylor
- She stained her hair yellow, which was then the beauty.
- Jeremy Taylor
Usage notes
- Adjectives often applied to "beauty": natural, great, real, physical, exotic, inner, spiritual, strange, divine, visual, heavenly, intellectual, facial, attractive, sensuous, sensual, seductive, musical, austere, alluring, mathematical, geometric, astounding, bodily, pictorial.
Synonyms
- (property, quality): gorgeousness, inspiration, loveliness
- (someone who is beautiful): belle, looker
- (something pleasing): gem, jewel
- See also Wikisaurus:beauty
- See also Wikisaurus:beautiful woman
Antonyms
- (property, quality): repulsiveness, homeliness, ugliness
Derived terms
Terms derived from beauty
|
|
Translations
quality of pleasing appearance
|
|
beautiful male
|
beautiful female
|
|
something particularly good or pleasing
See also
Interjection
beauty
- (Canada) Thanks! Cool!
- It's the long weekend. Beauty!
Adjective
beauty (comparative more beauty, superlative most beauty)
- (Canada) Of high quality, well done.
- He made a beauty pass through the neutral zone.
Statistics
Most common English words before 1923: heavy · single · foot · #617: beauty · attention · standing · books
Dutch
Pronunciation
- Hyphenation: beau‧ty
Etymology
Borrowing from English beauty.
Noun
beauty f (plural beauty's, diminutive beauty'tje n)
- A beauty, looker, beautiful person
- A beautiful other creature or thing
- Die prachtige hengst is al net zo'n beauty als z'n ruiter
- That gorgeous stallion is as much of a beauty as his rider
- Die prachtige hengst is al net zo'n beauty als z'n ruiter
- Human beauty, as the object or goal of cosmetics etc.
Synonyms
- schoonheid
- (beautiful thing only) juweeltje n, prachtexemplaar n