belles lettres

Thân thiện

A student enjoys reading a book of belles lettres in the library.

Definition

Noun: 1. Creative writing valued for aesthetic content: A category of writing that is appreciated primarily for its artistic and literary qualities, its beauty of form, and its intellectual style, rather than for its informative or practical content. It encompasses works like poetry, essays, literary criticism, and other forms of fine writing.

Usage

The term is used to classify and discuss literature that emphasizes artistic expression and stylistic elegance. It often implies a contrast with more utilitarian, journalistic, or scientific writing. - It is typically treated as a singular or plural noun (e.g., "belles lettres is," "these belles lettres are"). - It is often used in academic, literary, or critical contexts.

Examples

• The professor dedicated his career to the study of French belles lettres from the 18th century.
• Her library was filled with volumes of classic belles lettres, from Montaigne's essays to Baudelaire's poetry.
• The literary journal focuses on publishing contemporary belles lettres rather than genre fiction.

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes carry a slightly old-fashioned or academic connotation, suggesting a canon of refined, "highbrow" literature.
• It is used to describe a body of work or a tradition: "the great tradition of English belles lettres."

Variants and Related Words

• Bell (adj): Archaic; beautiful. (Not commonly used in modern English outside of this compound).
• Lettrist (n): A practitioner of Lettrism, a French avant-garde movement focused on letters and symbols. (This is a distinct, unrelated term).
• Literati (n): Well-educated people who are interested in literature. (A related concept referring to the audience for belles lettres).

Synonyms

• Literary works
• Belles-lettres (alternative hyphenated spelling)
• Polite literature (archaic synonym)
• Humanities writing

Antonyms

• Technical writing
• Utilitarian prose
• Journalism
• Scientific literature

Related Phrases

• Man of letters: A scholarly man, especially one devoted to literary or scholarly pursuits. (e.g., "He was considered the preeminent man of letters of his generation.")

Học thuật

Noun

1. creative writing valued for esthetic content

Từ đồng nghĩa

• belles-lettres