Synonyms for esthetics


Grammar : Noun
Spell : es-thet-iks
Phonetic Transcription : ɛsˈθɛt ɪks


Définition of esthetics

Origin :
  • 1798, from German Ästhetisch or French esthétique, both from Greek aisthetikos "sensitive, perceptive," from aisthanesthai "to perceive (by the senses or by the mind), to feel," from PIE *awis-dh-yo-, from root *au- "to perceive" (see audience).
  • Popularized in English by translation of Immanuel Kant, and used originally in the classically correct sense "the science which treats of the conditions of sensuous perception." Kant had tried to correct the term after Alexander Baumgarten had taken it in German to mean "criticism of taste" (1750s), but Baumgarten's sense attained popularity in English c.1830s (despite scholarly resistance) and removed the word from any philosophical base. Walter Pater used it (1868) to describe the late 19c. movement that advocated "art for art's sake," which further blurred the sense. As an adjective by 1803. Related: Aesthetically.
  • As in aesthetics : noun principles of art
Example sentences :
  • Drafts for the dedication, the preface, and for a work on Esthetics.
  • Extract from : « Albert Durer » by T. Sturge Moore
  • There is a lecture on the esthetics of modern art at Philamo Hall.
  • Extract from : « The Raid on the Termites » by Paul Ernst
  • What has the author to say of education, religion and esthetics?
  • Extract from : « The Complete Club Book for Women » by Caroline French Benton
  • Associated words: esthetics, æsthetic, æstheticism, æsthete.
  • Extract from : « Putnam's Word Book » by Louis A. Flemming
  • These flowers were the only concession to esthetics that Mr. Flint indulged.
  • Extract from : « The Blood Red Dawn » by Charles Caldwell Dobie
  • The Neapolitan was one of those most preoccupied with esthetics.
  • Extract from : « Csar or Nothing » by Po Baroja Baroja
  • On passing through the spectacular aspects of lighting we finally emerge into the esthetics of light and lighting.
  • Extract from : « Artificial Light » by M. Luckiesh
  • It is attractive in style and indicates an abundant familiarity with the subject, both as a naturalist and a student of esthetics.
  • Extract from : « The Alden Catalogue of Choice Books, May 30, 1889 » by John B. Alden
  • It is not by reading manuals of esthetics, but by leaning on nature herself that the artist discovers and expresses beauty.
  • Extract from : « Rodin: The Man and his Art » by Judith Cladel
  • The ignorant and the professors of esthetics who do not know the source of all this have named it Greek idealism.
  • Extract from : « Rodin: The Man and his Art » by Judith Cladel

Words or expressions associated with your search


Most wanted synonyms

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019