A person who has or claims to have a refined sensitivity to beauty in art, nature, or life itself. Someone who doesn't just notice beauty but feels it deeply, lives for it, and makes the appreciation of beautiful things a central part of their existence.
From Greek 'aisthetes,' meaning 'one who perceives,' built on 'aisthesis' (sensation or perception). The word entered English in the 19th century during the Aesthetic Movement, when artists and writers like Oscar Wilde championed 'art for art's sake.' It was both a celebration of beauty and sometimes a gentle mockery of those who seemed to care more about appearing cultured than being genuine.
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