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belles-lettres Definition

belles-lettres (bel le′tr', -trə)

plural noun

literature as one of the fine arts; imaginative writings as distinguished from technical and scientific writings, esp. when characterized by a polished, highly literary style and, often, a somewhat dilettantish manner

Etymology: Fr, lit., beautiful letters, fine literature

Browse dictionary entries near belles-lettres

  1. ‹ Bellerophon
  2. ‹ Belleek (ware)
  3. ‹ Belleek
  4. ‹ Belleau Wood
  5. ‹ Belle Isle
  6. ‹ belle epoque
  7. ‹ belle
  8. ‹ Bellcore
  9. ‹ bellboy
  10. ‹ bellbird
  1. belletrist ›
  2. belletristic ›
  3. Bellevue ›
  4. bellflower ›
  5. bellhop ›
  6. bellicose ›
  7. bellicosely ›
  8. bellicosity ›
  9. bellied ›
  10. bellies ›