Plural of bluestocking; women devoted to intellectual, scholarly, or literary pursuits, especially in historical contexts referring to the 18th-century movement.
Plural of bluestocking (blue stocking + -ing + -s), from the 18th-century Blue Stocking Society term, referring to multiple women in this movement or of this intellectual orientation.
The historical bluestockings—like Mary Wollstonecraft, Samuel Johnson's circle members, and early novelists—were doing something revolutionary: insisting that women's minds mattered, which cost some their reputations but gained them immortal intellectual legacy.
Plural of a historical epithet for women in 18th-century intellectual salons. While now sometimes reclaimed as a badge of honor, the term's original function was to other and ridicule.
Use with historical context or when women themselves claim it. In modern contexts, prefer specific descriptors: 'women scholars,' 'female intellectuals,' or name the actual circle/movement.
["women intellectuals","female scholars","salon participants"]
The Bluestocking Circle produced groundbreaking literary criticism, essays, and intellectual mentorship. Members like Elizabeth Montagu established women's voices as legitimate in public discourse—a radical act in the 18th century.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.