the quality present in a thing or person that gives intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind, whether arising from sensory manifestations (as shape, color, sound, etc.), a meaningful design or pattern, or something else (as a personality in which high spiritual qualities are manifest).
a beautiful person, esp. a woman.
a beautiful thing, as a work of art or a building.
Often, beauties. something that is beautiful in nature or in some natural or artificial environment.
an individually pleasing or beautiful quality; grace; charm:a vivid blue area that is the one real beauty of the painting.
Informal Termsa particular advantage:One of the beauties of this medicine is the freedom from aftereffects.
(usually used ironically) something extraordinary:My sunburn was a real beauty.
something excellent of its kind:My old car was a beauty.
Vulgar Latin *bellitāt- (stem of *bellitās), equivalent. to Latin bell(us) fine + -itāt- -ity
Old French beltet
Old French beaute; replacing Middle English bealte
Middle English be(a)ute 1225–75
1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged loveliness, pulchritude, comeliness, fairness, attractiveness.