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belles-lettres

Syllabification: (belles-let·tres)
Pronunciation: /ˌbel ˈletrə/

Definition of belles-lettres

noun

[also treated as singular]
  • 1essays, particularly of literary and artistic criticism, written and read primarily for their aesthetic effect.
  • 2literature considered as a fine art.

Derivatives

belletrism

Pronunciation: /belˈletrizəm/

noun

belletrist

Pronunciation: /belˈletrist/

noun

belletristic

Pronunciation: /ˌbeləˈtristik/

adjective

Origin:

mid 17th century: from French, literally 'fine letters'

belles-lettres in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of belles-lettres in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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