beau·ty Audio Help /ˈbyuti/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[byoo-tee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -ties. 1. the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).
2. a beautiful person, esp. a woman.
3. a beautiful thing, as a work of art or a building.
4. Often, beauties. something that is beautiful in nature or in some natural or artificial environment.
5. an individually pleasing or beautiful quality; grace; charm: a vivid blue area that is the one real beauty of the painting.
6. Informal. a particular advantage: One of the beauties of this medicine is the freedom from aftereffects.
7. (usually used ironically) something extraordinary: My sunburn was a real beauty.
8. something excellent of its kind: My old car was a beauty.
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[Origin: 1225–75; ME be(a)ute < OF beaute; r. ME bealte < OF beltet < VL *bellitāt- (s. of *bellitās), equiv. to L bell(us) fine + -itāt- -ity]
—Synonyms 1. loveliness, pulchritude, comeliness, fairness, attractiveness. 2. belle.
el·e·gance Audio Help (ěl'ĭ-gəns) Pronunciation Key
n.
Refinement, grace, and beauty in movement, appearance, or manners.
Tasteful opulence in form, decoration, or presentation.
Restraint and grace of style.
Scientific exactness and precision.
Restraint and grace of style.
Scientific exactness and precision.
Something elegant.
-SM