A witty or clever person; someone of refined intellectual ability and charm, borrowed from French salon culture.
From French 'bel esprit' meaning 'beautiful spirit' or 'fine mind,' combining 'bel' (beautiful) and 'esprit' (spirit/wit). Adopted into English during the 18th century when French intellectual culture heavily influenced European society.
In 18th-century salons, a 'bel esprit' was the person everyone wanted at their party—clever conversation and sharp wit were literally considered beautiful qualities of the mind!
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