æsthete
(ˈɛsθiːt, ˈiːsθiːt)
[ad. Gr. αἰσθητής one who perceives; cf. athlete.]
One who professes a special appreciation of what is beautiful, and endeavours to carry his ideas of beauty into practical manifestation. Cf. æsthetic a. 4 and n. 3.
| 1881 Burnand in Daily News 31 Jan. 2/3 The matter-of-fact, slily-humorous, but quiet American colonel, who descends like a bomb-shell in the midst of the æsthetes. 1881 Spectator 2 July 859 The sham æsthete never chooses pretty colours. 1882 W. Hamilton æsthetic Movement p. vii, The æsthetes are they who pride themselves upon having found out what is the really beautiful in nature and art, their faculties and tastes being educated up to the point necessary for the full appreciation of such qualities. 1914 C. Mackenzie Sinister Street II. iii. i. 516 My dear chap, he was absolutely barred. M' tutor used to like him, but..I don't mind telling you, he's really an æsthete. |