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bel esprit

noun bel es·prit \ ˌbe-ˌle-ˈsprē , ˌbe-lə- \

Definition of bel esprit

plural beaux esprits \ˌbō-ˌze-ˈsprē, ˌbō-zə-\
: a person with a fine and gifted mind
  • as a bel esprit she despised pedantry whether in a man or in a bluestocking
  • —Robert Halsband

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Origin and Etymology of bel esprit

French, literally, fine mind

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