Dictionary entry

Beauty

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Beau″ty (bū″ty̆), n.; pl.Beauties (�). [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 nature.

3. A beautiful person, esp. a beautiful woman.

All the admired beauties of Verona.

Shak.

4. Prevailing style or taste; rage; fashion.

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.