aesthetic
pronunciation
How to pronounce aesthetic in British English:
UK [iːsˈθetɪk]
How to pronounce aesthetic in American English:
US [esˈθetɪk]
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- Noun:
- (philosophy) a philosophical theory as to what is beautiful
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- Adjective:
- relating to or dealing with the subject of aesthetics
- concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
- aesthetically pleasing
Word Origin
- aesthetic
- aesthetic: [18] In strict etymological terms, aesthetic relates to perception via the senses. It comes ultimately from the Greek verb aísthesthai ‘perceive’ (which is related to Latin audīre ‘hear’), and this meaning is preserved in anaesthetic, literally ‘without feeling’. The derived adjective aisthētikós reached Western Europe via modern Latin aesthēticus, and was first used (in its Germanized form ästhetisch) in the writings of the philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724–1804).Here, it retained its original sense, ‘perceptual’, but its use by A T Baumgarten as the title (Æsthetica) of a work on the theory of beauty in art (1750) soon led to its adoption in its now generally accepted meaning.=> audible, audition
- aesthetic (n.)
- 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.
Example
- 1. Is the issue primarily one of different aesthetic sensibilities ?
- 2. Her aesthetic continues to resonate in the current uncertainty .
- 3. Calligraphy is both aesthetic and technical and these two facets cannot be separated .
- 4. Key to the underground philosophy is that it represents an aesthetic third space , one which eludes conventional boundaries .
- 5. This product is aimed not only to satisfy hunger cravings but also intended to bring an aesthetic pleasure to the customer .