elegantadj.adv.

Brit.

/ˈɛlᵻɡ(ə)nt/, U.S.

/ˈɛləɡənt/

Forms: late Middle English ileȝant, late Middle English–1500s elegaunt, late Middle English–1600s elegante, 1500s aligant, 1500s eligaunt, 1500s elygant, 1500s–1700s eligant, 1500s– elegant.

Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French elegant; Latin ēlegant-, ēlegāns.

Etymology: < (i) Middle French elegant (French élégant ) tasteful, refined (14th cent. of a work of art, a1486 of a literary work), (of a person) neat, stylish, attractive (c1450–60), (of a scholar) distinguished (c1494–8), and its etymon (ii) classical Latin ēlegant-, ēlegāns fastidious, particular, refined, cultivated, scrupulous, punctilious, tastefully attractive, graceful, skilful in choice of words, neat, felicitous, (of learning) minute, exact, (of a distinction) fine, subtle, in post-classical Latin also specifically of a medicinal preparation (1634 in the passage translated in quot. 1670 at sense 7b, or earlier) usually regarded as present participle of an unattested verb *ēlegāre < ē- e- prefix² + *legāre , intensive formation < legere to gather, pick out, choose (see lection n.); compare ēligere to select (see elect adj.). Compare Catalan elegant (1344), Spanish elegante (1479), Portuguese elegante (15th cent.), Italian elegante (a1342). Compare elegancy n. and later iligant adj.

1. Characterized by grace or simple beauty, combined with good taste; tastefully ornamental. Also: characterized by refined luxury.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > elegance > [adjective]

featousc1400

elegantc1475

neat1546

genteel1688

iligant1819

elegantish1830

concinnous1831

c1475 Court of Sapience (Trin. Cambr.) (1927) 192 That [sc. a hall] was an heuyn oonly to looke on So rauysshyng hit was and elegaunt.

1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. vi. f. xlviii^v The labour & care of man can make nothing so elegant and fit as the prouidence of nature.

a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1711) II. 36 This is a vary fair and lightsum Chirch: and the Est Part of it is very elegant and isled.

a1657 W. Burton Comm. Antoninus his Itinerary (1658) 117 The Sixth Legion..left behind them here a remembrance..yet to be seen, in large and elegant Characters.

1684 J. Ray Corr. (1848) 138 The Polypodium plumosum is an elegant plant.

a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1691) ii. 38 Beautifying the Country..by elegant Dyet, Apparel, Furniture.

1744 J. Thomson Spring in Seasons (new ed.) 49 An elegant Sufficiency, Content, Retirement, rural Quiet.

1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World I. 49 Nothing is truly elegant but what unites use with beauty.

1778 T. Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry II. iii. 54 A most splendid and elegant manuscript on vellum.

1835 J. Ross Narr. Second Voy. North-west Passage v. 66 An elegant repast of venison.

1859 W. Collins Queen of Hearts I. 4 He felt languid pulses in elegant bedrooms.

1907 Baedeker's Paris & Environs (ed. 16) 17 Some are elegant establishments à la carte, while others (charges indicated) have fixed prices.

1965 Jet 28 Oct. 28 A really elegant gown that had diplomats' wives agog.

1985 ‘A. Perry’ Death in Devil's Acre (1987) 29 Paragon Walk was classically elegant in the winter sun.

2001 Art Room Catal. Autumn 21/1 The simple, elegant design of this vase captures all the refinement of the ‘Glasgow style’.

a. Of language, literature, or literary style: characterized by harmonious simplicity in the choice and arrangement of words; free from awkwardness, coarseness, or clumsiness; graceful, refined.In quot. c1475 of a personification of rhetoric. N.E.D. (1891) remarks: ‘Formerly used somewhat vaguely as a term of praise for literary style; from the 18th cent. it has tended more and more to exclude any notion of intensity or grandeur, and, when applied to compositions in which these qualities might be looked for, has a depreciatory sense.’

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > elegance > [adjective]

fairOE

facundc1381

rhetorian?c1400

facundious1430

rhetoricalc1450

elegantc1475

rhetorial1521

concinnate1548

humane1552

concinne1569

Attic1633

compt1633

concinnated1868

stylish1892

Atticistic1919

c1475 Court of Sapience (Trin. Cambr.) (1927) 198 Dame Rethoryke, Modyr of Eloquence, Most elegaunt, most pure and gloryous.

a1504 J. Holt Lac Puerorum (1508) iii. sig. G.i^v Than sette them both in y^e genityf case or ablatyf, whiche is more elegant.

1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. (1557) 174/2 The bokes neither lesse eligaunt nor lesse true.

?1530 J. Rastell Pastyme of People sig. *Fvi In a longe oracyon..with elygant wordes.

1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar iii. xiv. 51 A most elegant and perswasive parable.

a1699 T. Comber Hist. Liturgies in Compan. Temple (1702) II. 23 Arnobius, an African, writ his elegant Books against the Gentiles.

1756 J. Warton Ess. on Pope I. vi. 290 Addison has inserted..an elegant character of this poetess.

1791 E. Burke Let. 1 June in Corr. (1967) VI. 265 I thank you too for the elegant Poem.

1844 R. W. Emerson Ess. 2nd Ser. viii. 253 I looked into Pope's Odyssey yesterday: it is as correct and elegant after our canon of today, as if it were newly written.

1876 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest V. xxv. 545 The love of hard words, of words which are thought to sound learned or elegant, that is..which are not thoroughly understood.

1945 Southwestern Hist. Q. 48 463 Judge Moses B. Walker laboriously, but in choice language and elegant phrasing, sought to justify the court's conclusion.

1957 C. Brooke-Rose Lang. of Love 47 Her translations of haiku were elegant.

2004 New Statesman 6 Sept. 51/3 Anita Desai is justifiably renowned for..her calmly elegant prose.

b. Of a speaker or author: employing such language or style.

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?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis Ful Treat. Imytacyon Cryste (Pynson) i. iii. sig. Aiiii The royal Poetys with theyr craftely conueyed poemys, & elegant oratours wyth theyr oracions garnysshed wyth elegancy.

1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius ii. f. 91 This our most elegant Tertullus sittyng at high deske, may instruct vs all blockyshe Asseheades.

1641 J. Milton Animadversions 6 They did no more then the elegantest Authors among the Greeks.

a1699 T. Comber Hist. Liturgies in Compan. Temple (1702) II. 44 The learned Volums of this Elegant Father [sc. Chrysostom].

1762 Ann. Reg. 1761 ii. 276/1 The venerable author, and his elegant translator, thus have mutually conferred immortality on each other.

1765 J. Brown Christian Jrnl. 174 The poems of lofty Milton, witful Cowley, elegant Pope.

1882 Academy 30 Dec. 477/1 An adaptation of ‘Jane Eyre’.., the result of the literary labours of an elegant playwright, Mr. W. G. Wills.

1887 Spectator 6 Aug. 1057/2 Rogers belongs to the elegant order of poets.

1928 A. Zawart in F. M. Kirsch Classics 84 He is undoubtedly the most elegant and most concise Latin writer of the twelfth century.

1991 N. Rush Mating iii. 157 I gather his father was a very elegant speaker, even inter pocula.

2002 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 11 Apr. b8/2 She is a careful, elegant writer who more often than not has deeper currents in mind.

a. Of a person, his or her movements, etc.: graceful; free from awkwardness or clumsiness.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > elegance > [adjective] > graceful

gracious1340

gracefulc1449

elegant1483

nymphlike1567

flowing1619

gracely1648

leggiadrous1648

featly1801

gainly1871

svelte1909

1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. ccxxviij^v/1 An elegante and fayre childe [L. elegantem puerum, Fr. enfant de noble lignage et stature.]

a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1537) xlii. f. 145 There came an ambassadour out of Asie, sayinge he was of the yle of Cetyn, a barone ryghte elegant of body [Sp. elegante enel cuerpo], ruddy of aspect, and right hardy of courage.

1612 T. Heywood Apol. for Actors i. sig. C4 A comely and elegant gesture.

1721 J. Weaver Anat. & Mech. Lect. Dancing 137 Dancing is an elegant, and regular Movement, harmonically composed of beautiful Attitudes, and contrasted graceful Postures of the Body.

1797 Henry Somerville I. ix. 108 He watched every motion and gesture of her elegant form.

1809 J. Roland Amateur of Fencing 137 The passing of the sword to the left side..has..a more..elegant appearance.

1862 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia III. xiv. viii. 750 The pains he took with her elegant pirouettings and poussettings.

1920 D. J. Knight in P. F. Warner Cricket (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) (new ed.) i. 35 The sweep to leg is a very paying and useful stroke, although not elegant.

1968 Daily Tel. 6 Dec. 15/6 She fell after attempting a double flip jump, but otherwise was always elegant and technically correct.

2004 M. Mitchell Ballet i. 8 French ballet is known for its elegant, graceful movements.

†b. Of a person's stature: tall, impressive. Obsolete.

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the world > life > the body > bodily height > tallness > [adjective]

higheOE

longeOE

elegant1516

tall1530

procere1542

tallish1748

towering1756

sesquipedalian1857

1516 Lyfe St. Birgette in Kalendre Newe Legende Eng. (Pynson) f. cxxiii Þ^t the sayd blessyd virgyne Katheryn bycause she was of an Eligant stature wold gather them of the sayd grapes.

a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) vii. xiii. 4 Turnus..Enarmyt walkis..With corps of statur eligant [L. praestanti].

1668 H. P. Cressy Church-hist. Brittany xx. 544 He was of an elegant stature, strong of body and warlick of mind.

4. Of a person: that dresses with tasteful beauty or sophistication; displaying elegance in dress. Sometimes in negative sense: foppish (cf. piss-elegant adj. at piss n. Compounds 2b).

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > fine, elegant, or smart

quaintc1330

nice1395

merryc1400

featc1430

elegant?c1500

mannerly1523

fine1526

neat1566

trim1675

smart1704

dressy1785

natty1794

good1809

dossy1889

dicty1932

whip-smart1937

zooty1943

sharp1944

preppy1963

?c1500 Mary Magdalene (Digby) l. 505 I woll, or euen, be shavyn, for to seme ȝyng..That makyt me Ileȝant and lusty in lykyng.

1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. cxxi It is..nat for man to be so elegant To suche toyes wanton wymen may inclyne.

1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Elegant person, philocalus.

1592 R. Dallington tr. F. Colonna Hypnerotomachia f. 84^v All which excellent ornaments, together with theyr most elegant personages, were easily able to alter, any churlish, vile or obstinate heart.

1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. ii. iii. vii. 138 A woman if she see her neighbour, more neat or elegant..is enraged.

1651 H. More Second Lash of Alazonomastix 86 Dost thou not know that those men, that make it their businesse to be compt and elegant in their clothes and carriages, commonly have little else but this in them?

1781 H. L. Thrale Let. 7 Feb. in F. Burney Diary & Lett. (1842) II. i. 8 Mrs. Ord looked elegant, Lady Rothes dainty, Mrs. Davenant dapper, and Sir Philip's curls were all blown about by the wind.

1801 M. Edgeworth Good French Governess in Moral Tales V. 49 She is the elegantest dresser about town.

1882 C. Hoey & J. Lillie tr. A. Challamel Hist. Fashion in France i. 15 An elegant town lady would..adorn herself with a mantle that half covered her head.

1906 G. Bonner Rich Men's Children x. 186 They say she's an elegant dresser, gets almost everything from Paris, even her underwear.

1942 E. Waugh Put out More Flags iii. 177 He looked very elegant and old-fashioned in his blue patrol jacket and tight overall trousers.

1991 S. K. Penman Reckoning (1992) xxiii. 318 Eleanora was exceedingly elegant in a deep purple gown.

a. Of a person: having superior taste or discernment; (modifying an agent noun) performing the specified activity with refined discernment. Now only in elegant scholar.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > fastidiousness > [adjective]

chisa700

estfula1000

esquaymous1303

squeamousc1325

overnicec1350

curiousc1380

dangerousc1386

delicatea1393

preciousc1395

nicec1400

skigc1400

over-delicatea1425

daintethc1430

ticklec1456

quaint1483

dauncha1500

pickinga1500

feat?1529

elegant?1533

queasy1545

fine1546

fine-fingered1549

fastidious?1555

fine-mouthed1559

chary1567

weamish1571

saucy1573

dainty1576

superfine1576

niced1577

overcurious1579

nicing1581

fineish1582

prick-me-dainty1583

daint1590

finical1592

tiptoe-nice1593

nice1594

nicking1598

choice1601

squeamish1608

marchpane1609

hypercritical1611

particular1616

finicking1661

overcritical1667

just so1696

penurious1703

fal-lal1747

ogertful1754

nackety1756

quiddling1789

pernickety1808

pershittie1808

taffety1814

hypercritic1820

faddy1824

finicky1825

meticulous1827

daintified1834

squeamy1838

picksome1855

choosey1862

picky1867

hyperaesthetic1879

persnickety1885

précieux1891

perskeet1897

tasty1905

Nice Nelly1922

perfectionist1942

snicketya1960

perfectionistic1968

?1533–4 R. Saltwood Compar. bytwene iiij. Byrdes sig. Cii Apt to honor is that elegaunt parson Which as in me lyke, in none hath perfectyon.

1592 A. Fraunce 3rd Pt. Countesse of Pembrokes Yuychurch f. 3^v A wall may bee colored by an elegant Painter, but the conceite and elegancie is more then the colour.

1631 B. Jonson New Inne iii. i. sig. D5^v As i'the Tertia o'the kitchin, your selfe Being a person, elegant in sawces.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 1018 Thou art exact of taste, And elegant .

1734 A. Newton Lett. to Dr. Holmes (ed. 2) 25 Lord Macclesfield..was yet very Elegant in the Choice of Persons on whom to bestow his Spiritual Preferments.

1774 T. Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry I. Diss. i. sig. c3^v A very..elegant inquirer into the genius..of the northern nations.

1788 V. Knox Winter Evenings II. ii. 118 An elegant spectator of the vegetable world.

1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits xiv. 244 Mr. Hallam, a learned and elegant scholar.

1906 C. Edmonds Early Sc. Church ii. xi. 161 He was a trained and elegant scholar, well fitted to labour for the conversion of the pagan Gauls.

2002 Independent (Nexis) 7 Mar. 6 Penning-Rowsell was a fastidious and elegant scholar and his work would have made any academic proud.

b. Of an action, feeling, pursuit, etc.: befitting a person of refinement and cultivated taste; refined. Cf. elegant arts n. at Compounds 2.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > [adjective]

polisheda1382

dainteousc1386

polite?a1500

delicatea1533

courtly1535

civil1551

court-like1552

well-refined1575

nice1588

perpolite1592

politic1596

soft1599

terse1628

refine1646

refined1650

elegant1652

genteel1678

chastea1797

spirituala1806

aesthetic1844

nicey1859

raffiné1865

nuttish1869

too-tooa1884

sophisticated1895

lavender1928

1652 R. Brathwait Times Treasury 449 This their sundry excellent fancies confirmed; their elegant labours discovered.

1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 466. ⁋7 Every thing in Nature that can pretend to give elegant Delight.

1796 F. Burney Camilla I. 301 How delicate, how elegant, thought she, is this retired behaviour!

1854 Fraser's Mag. Mar. 355/2 Maria had given up the more elegant pursuits of the arts and letters.

1880 ‘Ouida’ Moths II. 253 Ischl has a little rusticity still in her elegant manners.

1913 Med. Council Dec. 475/1 The doctor of elegant tastes wanted elegant practice.

1978 E. B. Welles tr. A. Poliziano in B. G. Kohl & R. G. Witt Earthly Republic 322 He enjoyed painting, music, and all sorts of elegant activity.

2000 C. A. Barros & J. M. Smith Life-writings Brit. Women 1660–1815 284 She began to teach herself embroidery, drawing, flower-making, and other elegant pursuits.

c. Of a person or the mind: characterized by delicacy of feeling; refined in manners, habits, or temperament.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > [adjective] > specifically of persons

refined1598

polite1601

inlanda1616

researched1636

spirituel1673

elegant1691

kid-gloved1848

kid glove1856

fine-drawn1876

rose water1883

sophisticated1895

subtle1904

1691 M. Morgan Poem to Queen sig. A1^v The Gods did smile when you were Born, And you an Heavenly Beauty doth adorn. You with a Mind as elegant are blest.

1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 491. ⁋2 An utter Stranger to the..Delicacies that attend the Passion..in elegant Minds.

1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. i. 3 Her features..expressed the tranquillity of an elegant mind.

1844 R. W. Emerson Ess. 2nd Ser. iv. 143 A sainted soul is always elegant.

1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Felix Holt I. i. 51 Such a stock of ideas may be made to tell in elegant society.

1959 P. O'Brian Unknown Shore i. 21 She climbed trees, whistled and shouted in a manner that distressed her elegant mother.

2008 M. P. Cosman & L. G. Jones Handbk. Life in Medieval World iii. x. 754 A gentleman, correct in behavior and elegant in manners.

6. Of food or drink: devoid of harsh or heavy features; (esp. of wine) well-balanced in terms of flavour, without an overpowering element. Also: designating such a flavour or smell.

ΚΠ

a1611 J. Mabbe tr. F. de Rojas Celestine (1972) 213 As for wine, I wanted none: the best was euer sente me, as your Monviedro, which is your rich Rioxa wine, your wine of Corsica, Raspis, Elegant Muscadine.

?1760 M. Bradley Brit. Housewife 526 They [sc. smelts] will thus be of a fine brown, very delicate, and will have all their own rich and elegant Flavour.

1863 T. G. Shaw Wine viii. 258 A bottle of the homely Mâcon, instead of the elegant Beaujolais, had to be called for.

1902 Hatch, Mansfield Price List Oct. 21 Piesporter, elegant, with refined flavour.

1955 H. J. Grossman Guide Wines, Spirits & Beers (rev. ed.) vi. 82 Est Est Est of Montefiascone, in the Lake Bolsena region, is a golden-hued Moscatello, with a pleasant and elegant bouquet.

1980 Washington Post (Nexis) 21 Sept. (Mag.) 13 Order earthy rather than elegant dishes: dense, long-simmered minestrone rather than lemony fish salad.

1992 Food Entertaining Summer 136/1 The wine is dry, light and elegant, with extremely fine, pale gold bubbles.

2007 M. L. Heiss & R. J. Heiss Story of Tea 128 The Chinese..coax elegant, fragrant, soft-style teas from their fresh leaves rather than the strong, fruity, and sometimes more astringent teas of the more major black tea-producing countries.

a. Of mathematical and scientific theorems, processes, devices, etc.: pleasing by ingenious simplicity and effectiveness.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > branch of knowledge > systematic knowledge, science > [adjective] > based on science > of procedures: simple

elegant1615

1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 318 I will endeuour in this place to shew you Galens curious, elegant and acurate demonstration of the Communion of these vesselles.

1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) iv. ix. 166 An elegant Workmanship of Nature.

1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. App. Cotesian theorem, an appellation used for an elegant property of the circle discovered by Mr. Cotes.

1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. iv. 36 The demonstration of this law, invented by Newton, was one of the most elegant applications of the geometry of infinites or indivisibles.

1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 198 An elegant cement may also be made from rice-flour.

1844 G. Bird Urinary Deposits iii. 72 An elegant mode of showing the composition of the deposit.

1952 G. Manley Climate & Brit. Scene iii. 32 We owe to Sir Geoffrey Taylor of Cambridge one of the most elegant discussions of the factors governing the depth and density of such fogs.

1966 Listener 1 Sept. 304/1 MacNeish's demonstration is particularly elegant because he could trace the whole processes in a small, almost self-contained area.

2009 Atlantic June 60/2 Although the iPod was a late entrant in a crowded market, the elegant little machine took the world by storm.

b. Of a medicinal preparation: carefully, effectively, or cleverly formulated, esp. to have a pleasant taste, smell, or consistency. In early use also: †designating the formulation or administration of such a preparation (obsolete). Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > [adjective] > pleasant-tasting

elegant1657

1657 N. Culpeper & W. Rowland tr. J. Johnstone Idea Pract. Physick iii. 28/1 An excellent way and Elegant [L. elegantissimè] to give it, is, to stick an apple with cloves and black Hellebore roots, and roast it in the Embers.

1670 tr. O. Croll Bazilica Chymica i. 55 There is another more elegant [L. elegantior] and pure Spirit of Salt of greater virtues, yet compounded of Nitre and common Salt.

1710 T. Fuller Pharmacopœia Extemporanea 127 It [sc. the Electuary] is an elegant [L. elegans] Composition for a troublesome..Cough.

1788 V. Knox Winter Evenings I. vi. 67 The physicians call a medicine which contains efficient ingredients in a small volume, and of a pleasant or tolerable taste, an elegant medicine.

1828 T. Castle Lexicon Pharmaceuticum (ed. 2) 169/2 This [sc. compound spirit of lavender] is an elegant and useful antispasmodic and stimulant.

1868 J. F. Royle & F. W. Headland Man. Materia Med. (ed. 5) 172 This elegant chalybeate has been long in use.

1952 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 8 Mar. 549/2 In treatment he showed no hesitation in abandoning the elegant potions and pills of the 'nineties.

1990 DVM Apr. 37 (advt.) It's a topical in an elegant, aqueous, vanishing cream base.

2007 M. Ash & I. Ash Handbk. Fillers, Extenders & Diluents (ed. 2) 190/1 Base for cosmetic and pharmaceutical..ointments, elegant cream formulations, esp. for antimycotic preps.

8. North American and Irish English. As a general term of approbation: very good, excellent, first-rate. Also as adv. Cf. iligant adj. N.E.D. (1891) marks this sense as erroneous.Somewhat archaic in North America.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective]

faireOE

bremea1000

goodlyOE

goodfulc1275

noblec1300

pricec1300

specialc1325

gentlec1330

fine?c1335

singulara1340

thrivena1350

thriven and throa1350

gaya1375

properc1380

before-passinga1382

daintiful1393

principala1398

gradelya1400

burlyc1400

daintyc1400

thrivingc1400

voundec1400

virtuousc1425

hathelc1440

curiousc1475

singlerc1500

beautiful1502

rare?a1534

gallant1539

eximious1547

jolly1548

egregious?c1550

jellyc1560

goodlike1562

brawc1565

of worth1576

brave?1577

surprising1580

finger-licking1584

admirablea1586

excellinga1586

ambrosial1598

sublimated1603

excellent1604

valiant1604

fabulous1609

pure1609

starryc1610

topgallant1613

lovely1614

soaringa1616

twanging1616

preclarent1623

primea1637

prestantious1638

splendid1644

sterling1647

licking1648

spankinga1666

rattling1690

tearing1693

famous1695

capital1713

yrare1737

pure and —1742

daisy1757

immense1762

elegant1764

super-extra1774

trimming1778

grand1781

gallows1789

budgeree1793

crack1793

dandy1794

first rate1799

smick-smack1802

severe1805

neat1806

swell1810

stamming1814

divine1818

great1818

slap-up1823

slapping1825

high-grade1826

supernacular1828

heavenly1831

jam-up1832

slick1833

rip-roaring1834

boss1836

lummy1838

flash1840

slap1840

tall1840

high-graded1841

awful1843

way up1843

exalting1844

hot1845

ripsnorting1846

clipping1848

stupendous1848

stunning1849

raving1850

shrewd1851

jammy1853

slashing1854

rip-staving1856

ripping1858

screaming1859

up to dick1863

nifty1865

premier cru1866

slap-bang1866

clinking1868

marvellous1868

rorty1868

terrific1871

spiffing1872

all wool and a yard wide1882

gorgeous1883

nailing1883

stellar1883

gaudy1884

fizzing1885

réussi1885

ding-dong1887

jim-dandy1888

extra-special1889

yum-yum1890

out of sight1891

outasight1893

smooth1893

corking1895

large1895

super1895

hot dog1896

to die for1898

yummy1899

deevy1900

peachy1900

hi1901

v.g.1901

v.h.c.1901

divvy1903

doozy1903

game ball1905

goodo1905

bosker1906

crackerjack1910

smashinga1911

jake1914

keen1914

posh1914

bobby-dazzling1915

juicy1916

pie on1916

jakeloo1919

snodger1919

whizz-bang1920

wicked1920

four-star1921

wow1921

Rolls-Royce1922

whizz-bang1922

wizard1922

barry1923

nummy1923

ripe1923

shrieking1926

crazy1927

righteous1930

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1764 S. Blair Acct. Coll. New-Jersey 12 The college had..‘an elegant hall of genteel workmanship’.

1772 Massachusetts Spy 11 June 62/1 In the Evening they exhibited some elegant fire-works from the balcony.

1817 M. Birkbeck Notes Journey Amer. 152 You hear of an elegant mill, an elegant orchard, an elegant tan-yard, &c. and familiarly of elegant roads, meaning such as you may pass without extreme peril. The word implies eligibility or usefulness in America, but has nothing to do with taste.

1822 J. Woods Two Years' Resid. Eng. Prairie 203 This negro said, some very elegant potatoes grew on this land last year.

1887 Outing July 371/1 ‘I say, Chris, I've learned to ride a bicycle.’ ‘Have you?’ I said... ‘Well, what's it like?’ ‘Elegant,’ he said, flinging out his right arm with evident satisfaction, ‘just feel that muscle.’

1896 ‘M. Twain’ Tom Sawyer, Detective viii in Tom Sawyer Abroad 158 You do it elegant; I never see anybody do it better.

1910 P. W. Joyce Eng. as we speak it in Ireland xiii. 254 That's an elegant pig of yours.

1935 Joplin (Missouri) Globe 8 June 14/4 Harry Leon Wilson quit drinking coffee for two years, then one morning downed in a row six cups of a hefty brew and did he feel elegant!

1948 T. Capote Other Voices, Other Rooms ii. 59 We gonna get along just elegant.

2004 T. P. Dolan Dict. Hiberno-Eng. (2006) 85/1 Elegant, good, fine, excellent. ‘That's an elegant day’; ‘That's an elegant child you have there.’

Compounds

C1. Parasynthetic and complementary, as elegant-looking, elegant-mannered, elegant-minded, elegant-sounding, etc.

ΚΠ

1616 T. Coryate Traveller for Eng. Wits 44 That courteous, sweet, and elegant-natured and nurtured gentleman. M. William Forde.

1640 W. Gilbert Architectonice Consolationis 18 To this purpose that elegant tongu'd Father.

1799 T. R. Malthus Diary 3 July (1966) 117 We had met with many pretty elegant looking women.

1808 H. More Cœlebs in Search of Wife I. iv. 38 Sir John is a valuable, elegant-minded man.

1882 Harper's Mag. Nov. 950/1 He is a very elegant-mannered young man.

1920 S. Kerr Painted Meadows xi. 98 I hope they'll have one of those elegant tasting Minnehaha cakes.

1973 J. P. Donleavy Fairy Tale of N.Y. xxi. 215 A white coated and elegant legged woman gets up to lead Christian through a door.

2009 T. Kraus Renewal xi. 126 Salon shoes, with some elegant-sounding Italian name printed on the inside.

C2.

elegant arts n. (chiefly with the) those creative activities whose products are intended to be a source of aesthetic pleasure to people of refinement and cultivated taste (frequently opposed to useful arts n. at useful adj. and n. Compounds); cf. fine art n. 1a.

ΚΠ

?1649 tr. H. Wotton Panegyrick King Charles 103 Italy (the greatest mother of elegant Arts [L. elegantium Artium]).

1716 J. Addison Free-holder No. 21. 120 She has a fine Taste of the elegant Arts.

1796 Monthly Rev. Apr. 413 He disclaims the extravagant pretensions of too many of his countrymen to a knowlege not only of the useful but the elegant arts.

1821 W. M. Craig Lect. Drawing i. 1 A high state of the elegant arts..is indicative of great advancement in civilization.

1915 J. T. Welsh Addresses 71 The elegant arts seldom, if ever, flourish when trade and commercial prosperity are stagnant.

2010 S. Lee in P. F. Williams Asian Literary Voices i. 24 Many were trained in the elegant arts.

† elegant mint n. Obsolete rare the bushy red mint, Mentha × gentilis.

ΚΠ

1821 S. F. Gray Nat. Arrangem. Brit. Plants II. 364 Elegant mint. Stem very much branched, spreading; leaves ovate, blunt, serrated.

1829 J. Togno & E. Durand tr. H. Milne-Edwards & P. Vavasseur Man. Materia Medica vi. 199 The most used of them are, the Crisped Mint, Mentha crispa, Lin.; the Green Mint, M. Viridis,..the Elegant Mint, M. gentilis, Lin.

elegant variation n. (an instance of) variation in wording introduced to avoid repetition; the practice of studiously avoiding repetition in this way (esp. as a fault of style); also in extended use (sometimes ironic).The literary use of elegant variation was critically examined by the Fowlers in The King's English and Modern English Usage: cf. quots. 1906, 1926.

ΘΚΠ

society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > inelegance > [noun] > excessive variation

elegant variation1735

1735 J. Collyer Gen. Princ. Gram. 75 As we affect brevity..it not only answers that end, but introduces an elegant variation of phrase.

1779 D. MacNicol Remarks Johnson's Journey to Hebrides 292 Every object of nature, and every instrument of the common and general arts, has many vocables to express it; such as suit all the elegant variations that either the poet or orator may chuse to make.

1818 Repository of Arts Oct. 231/2 An elegant variation in demisemiquavers follows.

1824 Eclectic Rev. Jan. 89 Such elegant variations as gollop for gallop, nut for not, sile for soil.., and a thousand others, come under the general description of a peculiarity of pronunciation.

1906 H. W. Fowler & F. G. Fowler King's Eng. iii. 178 The locking of arms is..only an elegant variation for clinging.

1926 H. W. Fowler Dict. Mod. Eng. Usage 131/1 It is the second-rate writers..that are chiefly open to the allurements of elegant variation.

1981 Guardian Weekly 5 July 21 Most of the costumes are..elegant variations on dancers' practice dress.

1982 Washington Post 7 May d2/6 The excremental monosyllable..rarely occurs less than twice per page and often as many as five, with a ‘f—’ or two stuck in for elegant variation.

1999 J. Raban Passage to Juneau vii. 365 There was no attempt at elegant variation in the scatological stream.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	elegant
释义	elegantn. Brit. /ˈɛlᵻɡ(ə)nt/, /ɛleɪˈɡɒ̃/, U.S. /ˈɛləɡənt/, /ˈɛləɡɑnt/ Forms: 1700s– elegant, 1800s– élégant, 1800s elégant. Also with capital initial. Origin: Probably of multiple origins. Probably partly formed within English, by conversion. Probably partly a borrowing from French. Etymons: elegant adj.; French élégant. Etymology: Probably partly < elegant adj., and partly < French élégant, use as noun of élégant elegant adj. A fashionable and elegant person, esp. a man; a fop or dandy. Frequently in French contexts; cf. incroyable n. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > fashionableness > [noun] > dandy popa1500 miniona1513 prick-me-daintya1529 puppy?1544 velvet-coat1549 skipjack1554 coxcomb1567 musk cat?1567 physbuttocke1570 Adonis?1571 Adon1590 foretop1597 musk-cod1600 pretty fellow1600 sparkc1600 spangle-baby1602 flash1605 barber-monger1608 cocoloch1610 dapperling1611 fantastica1613 feather-cock1612 trig1612 jack-a-dandy?1617 gimcrack1623 satinist1639 powder puffa1653 fop1676 prig1676 foplinga1681 cockcomb1684 beau garçona1687 shape1688 duke1699 nab1699 smirk1699 beau1700 petty master1706 moppet1707 Tom Astoner1707 dapper1709 petit maître1711 buck1725 toupee1727 toupet1728 toupet-man1748 jemmy1753 jessamy1753 macaroni1764 majoc1770 monkeyrony1773 dandyc1780 elegant1780 muscadin1794 incroyable1797 beauty man1800 bang-up1811 natty1818 ruffian1818 exquisite1819 heavy swell1819 marvellous1819 bit of stuff1828 merveilleux1830 fat1832 squirt1844 dandyling1846 ineffable1859 guinea pig1860 Dundreary swell1862 masher1872 dude1877 mash1879 dudette1883 dand1886 heavy gunner1890 posh1890 nut1904 smoothie1929 fancy-pants1930 saga boy1941 fancy Dan1943 1780 Masquerades IV. 287 I am as little deficient in point of politeness as the elegants I have mentioned. 1839 Dublin Univ. Mag. Aug. 162 He must be a ‘fine gentleman’—of modish and unreproachable presence..; fit to figure with distinction as an elégant in some eclectic circle. 1875 Appletons' Jrnl. 16 Oct. 508/2 They [sc. young men of fashion] were turned into Petits Maîtres under the Restoration, and afterward to Merveilleux, changing into Elégants under Charles X. 1929 Travel Jan. 9/2 A clan of cultivated élégants, who live in studied seclusion and perform pious works with charming melancholy and enviable grace. 1975 L. W. Minor Militant Hackwriter vi. 107 He painted several contemporary figures, in particular the young elegants, the jaded ‘fashionables’. 2003 Daily Tel. 20 June 20/3 Putting my hair up, I slip in, without making eye contact, to join the elegants who are playing blackjack and roulette. This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022). elegantadj.adv. Brit. /ˈɛlᵻɡ(ə)nt/, U.S. /ˈɛləɡənt/ Forms: late Middle English ileȝant, late Middle English–1500s elegaunt, late Middle English–1600s elegante, 1500s aligant, 1500s eligaunt, 1500s elygant, 1500s–1700s eligant, 1500s– elegant. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French elegant; Latin ēlegant-, ēlegāns. Etymology: < (i) Middle French elegant (French élégant ) tasteful, refined (14th cent. of a work of art, a1486 of a literary work), (of a person) neat, stylish, attractive (c1450–60), (of a scholar) distinguished (c1494–8), and its etymon (ii) classical Latin ēlegant-, ēlegāns fastidious, particular, refined, cultivated, scrupulous, punctilious, tastefully attractive, graceful, skilful in choice of words, neat, felicitous, (of learning) minute, exact, (of a distinction) fine, subtle, in post-classical Latin also specifically of a medicinal preparation (1634 in the passage translated in quot. 1670 at sense 7b, or earlier) usually regarded as present participle of an unattested verb ēlegāre < ē- e- prefix² + legāre , intensive formation < legere to gather, pick out, choose (see lection n.); compare ēligere to select (see elect adj.). Compare Catalan elegant (1344), Spanish elegante (1479), Portuguese elegante (15th cent.), Italian elegante (a1342). Compare elegancy n. and later iligant adj. 1. Characterized by grace or simple beauty, combined with good taste; tastefully ornamental. Also: characterized by refined luxury. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > elegance > [adjective] featousc1400 elegantc1475 neat1546 genteel1688 iligant1819 elegantish1830 concinnous1831 c1475 Court of Sapience (Trin. Cambr.) (1927) 192 That [sc. a hall] was an heuyn oonly to looke on So rauysshyng hit was and elegaunt. 1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. vi. f. xlviii^v The labour & care of man can make nothing so elegant and fit as the prouidence of nature. a1552 J. Leland Itinerary (1711) II. 36 This is a vary fair and lightsum Chirch: and the Est Part of it is very elegant and isled. a1657 W. Burton Comm. Antoninus his Itinerary (1658) 117 The Sixth Legion..left behind them here a remembrance..yet to be seen, in large and elegant Characters. 1684 J. Ray Corr. (1848) 138 The Polypodium plumosum is an elegant plant. a1687 W. Petty Polit. Arithm. (1691) ii. 38 Beautifying the Country..by elegant Dyet, Apparel, Furniture. 1744 J. Thomson Spring in Seasons (new ed.) 49 An elegant Sufficiency, Content, Retirement, rural Quiet. 1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World I. 49 Nothing is truly elegant but what unites use with beauty. 1778 T. Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry II. iii. 54 A most splendid and elegant manuscript on vellum. 1835 J. Ross Narr. Second Voy. North-west Passage v. 66 An elegant repast of venison. 1859 W. Collins Queen of Hearts I. 4 He felt languid pulses in elegant bedrooms. 1907 Baedeker's Paris & Environs (ed. 16) 17 Some are elegant establishments à la carte, while others (charges indicated) have fixed prices. 1965 Jet 28 Oct. 28 A really elegant gown that had diplomats' wives agog. 1985 ‘A. Perry’ Death in Devil's Acre (1987) 29 Paragon Walk was classically elegant in the winter sun. 2001 Art Room Catal. Autumn 21/1 The simple, elegant design of this vase captures all the refinement of the ‘Glasgow style’. 2. a. Of language, literature, or literary style: characterized by harmonious simplicity in the choice and arrangement of words; free from awkwardness, coarseness, or clumsiness; graceful, refined.In quot. c1475 of a personification of rhetoric. N.E.D. (1891) remarks: ‘Formerly used somewhat vaguely as a term of praise for literary style; from the 18th cent. it has tended more and more to exclude any notion of intensity or grandeur, and, when applied to compositions in which these qualities might be looked for, has a depreciatory sense.’ ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > elegance > [adjective] fairOE facundc1381 rhetorian?c1400 facundious1430 rhetoricalc1450 elegantc1475 rhetorial1521 concinnate1548 humane1552 concinne1569 Attic1633 compt1633 concinnated1868 stylish1892 Atticistic1919 c1475 Court of Sapience (Trin. Cambr.) (1927) 198 Dame Rethoryke, Modyr of Eloquence, Most elegaunt, most pure and gloryous. a1504 J. Holt Lac Puerorum (1508) iii. sig. G.i^v Than sette them both in y^e genityf case or ablatyf, whiche is more elegant. 1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in Wks. (1557) 174/2 The bokes neither lesse eligaunt nor lesse true. ?1530 J. Rastell Pastyme of People sig. Fvi In a longe oracyon..with elygant wordes. 1649 Bp. J. Taylor Great Exemplar* iii. xiv. 51 A most elegant and perswasive parable. a1699 T. Comber Hist. Liturgies in Compan. Temple (1702) II. 23 Arnobius, an African, writ his elegant Books against the Gentiles. 1756 J. Warton Ess. on Pope I. vi. 290 Addison has inserted..an elegant character of this poetess. 1791 E. Burke Let. 1 June in Corr. (1967) VI. 265 I thank you too for the elegant Poem. 1844 R. W. Emerson Ess. 2nd Ser. viii. 253 I looked into Pope's Odyssey yesterday: it is as correct and elegant after our canon of today, as if it were newly written. 1876 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest V. xxv. 545 The love of hard words, of words which are thought to sound learned or elegant, that is..which are not thoroughly understood. 1945 Southwestern Hist. Q. 48 463 Judge Moses B. Walker laboriously, but in choice language and elegant phrasing, sought to justify the court's conclusion. 1957 C. Brooke-Rose Lang. of Love 47 Her translations of haiku were elegant. 2004 New Statesman 6 Sept. 51/3 Anita Desai is justifiably renowned for..her calmly elegant prose. b. Of a speaker or author: employing such language or style. ΚΠ ?1504 W. Atkinson tr. Thomas à Kempis Ful Treat. Imytacyon Cryste (Pynson) i. iii. sig. Aiiii The royal Poetys with theyr craftely conueyed poemys, & elegant oratours wyth theyr oracions garnysshed wyth elegancy. 1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius ii. f. 91 This our most elegant Tertullus sittyng at high deske, may instruct vs all blockyshe Asseheades. 1641 J. Milton Animadversions 6 They did no more then the elegantest Authors among the Greeks. a1699 T. Comber Hist. Liturgies in Compan. Temple (1702) II. 44 The learned Volums of this Elegant Father [sc. Chrysostom]. 1762 Ann. Reg. 1761 ii. 276/1 The venerable author, and his elegant translator, thus have mutually conferred immortality on each other. 1765 J. Brown Christian Jrnl. 174 The poems of lofty Milton, witful Cowley, elegant Pope. 1882 Academy 30 Dec. 477/1 An adaptation of ‘Jane Eyre’.., the result of the literary labours of an elegant playwright, Mr. W. G. Wills. 1887 Spectator 6 Aug. 1057/2 Rogers belongs to the elegant order of poets. 1928 A. Zawart in F. M. Kirsch Classics 84 He is undoubtedly the most elegant and most concise Latin writer of the twelfth century. 1991 N. Rush Mating iii. 157 I gather his father was a very elegant speaker, even inter pocula. 2002 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 11 Apr. b8/2 She is a careful, elegant writer who more often than not has deeper currents in mind. 3. a. Of a person, his or her movements, etc.: graceful; free from awkwardness or clumsiness. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > elegance > [adjective] > graceful gracious1340 gracefulc1449 elegant1483 nymphlike1567 flowing1619 gracely1648 leggiadrous1648 featly1801 gainly1871 svelte1909 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. ccxxviij^v/1 An elegante and fayre childe [L. elegantem puerum, Fr. enfant de noble lignage et stature.] a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1537) xlii. f. 145 There came an ambassadour out of Asie, sayinge he was of the yle of Cetyn, a barone ryghte elegant of body [Sp. elegante enel cuerpo], ruddy of aspect, and right hardy of courage. 1612 T. Heywood Apol. for Actors i. sig. C4 A comely and elegant gesture. 1721 J. Weaver Anat. & Mech. Lect. Dancing 137 Dancing is an elegant, and regular Movement, harmonically composed of beautiful Attitudes, and contrasted graceful Postures of the Body. 1797 Henry Somerville I. ix. 108 He watched every motion and gesture of her elegant form. 1809 J. Roland Amateur of Fencing 137 The passing of the sword to the left side..has..a more..elegant appearance. 1862 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia III. xiv. viii. 750 The pains he took with her elegant pirouettings and poussettings. 1920 D. J. Knight in P. F. Warner Cricket (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) (new ed.) i. 35 The sweep to leg is a very paying and useful stroke, although not elegant. 1968 Daily Tel. 6 Dec. 15/6 She fell after attempting a double flip jump, but otherwise was always elegant and technically correct. 2004 M. Mitchell Ballet i. 8 French ballet is known for its elegant, graceful movements. †b. Of a person's stature: tall, impressive. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > life > the body > bodily height > tallness > [adjective] higheOE longeOE elegant1516 tall1530 procere1542 tallish1748 towering1756 sesquipedalian1857 1516 Lyfe St. Birgette in Kalendre Newe Legende Eng. (Pynson) f. cxxiii Þ^t the sayd blessyd virgyne Katheryn bycause she was of an Eligant stature wold gather them of the sayd grapes. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) vii. xiii. 4 Turnus..Enarmyt walkis..With corps of statur eligant [L. praestanti]. 1668 H. P. Cressy Church-hist. Brittany xx. 544 He was of an elegant stature, strong of body and warlick of mind. 4. Of a person: that dresses with tasteful beauty or sophistication; displaying elegance in dress. Sometimes in negative sense: foppish (cf. piss-elegant adj. at piss n. Compounds 2b). ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > [adjective] > fine, elegant, or smart quaintc1330 nice1395 merryc1400 featc1430 elegant?c1500 mannerly1523 fine1526 neat1566 trim1675 smart1704 dressy1785 natty1794 good1809 dossy1889 dicty1932 whip-smart1937 zooty1943 sharp1944 preppy1963 ?c1500 Mary Magdalene (Digby) l. 505 I woll, or euen, be shavyn, for to seme ȝyng..That makyt me Ileȝant and lusty in lykyng. 1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. cxxi It is..nat for man to be so elegant To suche toyes wanton wymen may inclyne. 1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Elegant person, philocalus. 1592 R. Dallington tr. F. Colonna Hypnerotomachia f. 84^v All which excellent ornaments, together with theyr most elegant personages, were easily able to alter, any churlish, vile or obstinate heart. 1621 R. Burton Anat. Melancholy i. ii. iii. vii. 138 A woman if she see her neighbour, more neat or elegant..is enraged. 1651 H. More Second Lash of Alazonomastix 86 Dost thou not know that those men, that make it their businesse to be compt and elegant in their clothes and carriages, commonly have little else but this in them? 1781 H. L. Thrale Let. 7 Feb. in F. Burney Diary & Lett. (1842) II. i. 8 Mrs. Ord looked elegant, Lady Rothes dainty, Mrs. Davenant dapper, and Sir Philip's curls were all blown about by the wind. 1801 M. Edgeworth Good French Governess in Moral Tales V. 49 She is the elegantest dresser about town. 1882 C. Hoey & J. Lillie tr. A. Challamel Hist. Fashion in France i. 15 An elegant town lady would..adorn herself with a mantle that half covered her head. 1906 G. Bonner Rich Men's Children x. 186 They say she's an elegant dresser, gets almost everything from Paris, even her underwear. 1942 E. Waugh Put out More Flags iii. 177 He looked very elegant and old-fashioned in his blue patrol jacket and tight overall trousers. 1991 S. K. Penman Reckoning (1992) xxiii. 318 Eleanora was exceedingly elegant in a deep purple gown. 5. a. Of a person: having superior taste or discernment; (modifying an agent noun) performing the specified activity with refined discernment. Now only in elegant scholar. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > fastidiousness > [adjective] chisa700 estfula1000 esquaymous1303 squeamousc1325 overnicec1350 curiousc1380 dangerousc1386 delicatea1393 preciousc1395 nicec1400 skigc1400 over-delicatea1425 daintethc1430 ticklec1456 quaint1483 dauncha1500 pickinga1500 feat?1529 elegant?1533 queasy1545 fine1546 fine-fingered1549 fastidious?1555 fine-mouthed1559 chary1567 weamish1571 saucy1573 dainty1576 superfine1576 niced1577 overcurious1579 nicing1581 fineish1582 prick-me-dainty1583 daint1590 finical1592 tiptoe-nice1593 nice1594 nicking1598 choice1601 squeamish1608 marchpane1609 hypercritical1611 particular1616 finicking1661 overcritical1667 just so1696 penurious1703 fal-lal1747 ogertful1754 nackety1756 quiddling1789 pernickety1808 pershittie1808 taffety1814 hypercritic1820 faddy1824 finicky1825 meticulous1827 daintified1834 squeamy1838 picksome1855 choosey1862 picky1867 hyperaesthetic1879 persnickety1885 précieux1891 perskeet1897 tasty1905 Nice Nelly1922 perfectionist1942 snicketya1960 perfectionistic1968 ?1533–4 R. Saltwood Compar. bytwene iiij. Byrdes sig. Cii Apt to honor is that elegaunt parson Which as in me lyke, in none hath perfectyon. 1592 A. Fraunce 3rd Pt. Countesse of Pembrokes Yuychurch f. 3^v A wall may bee colored by an elegant Painter, but the conceite and elegancie is more then the colour. 1631 B. Jonson New Inne iii. i. sig. D5^v As i'the Tertia o'the kitchin, your selfe Being a person, elegant in sawces. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost ix. 1018 Thou art exact of taste, And elegant . View more context for this quotation 1734 A. Newton Lett. to Dr. Holmes (ed. 2) 25 Lord Macclesfield..was yet very Elegant in the Choice of Persons on whom to bestow his Spiritual Preferments. 1774 T. Warton Hist. Eng. Poetry I. Diss. i. sig. c3^v A very..elegant inquirer into the genius..of the northern nations. 1788 V. Knox Winter Evenings II. ii. 118 An elegant spectator of the vegetable world. 1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits xiv. 244 Mr. Hallam, a learned and elegant scholar. 1906 C. Edmonds Early Sc. Church ii. xi. 161 He was a trained and elegant scholar, well fitted to labour for the conversion of the pagan Gauls. 2002 Independent (Nexis) 7 Mar. 6 Penning-Rowsell was a fastidious and elegant scholar and his work would have made any academic proud. b. Of an action, feeling, pursuit, etc.: befitting a person of refinement and cultivated taste; refined. Cf. elegant arts n. at Compounds 2. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > [adjective] polisheda1382 dainteousc1386 polite?a1500 delicatea1533 courtly1535 civil1551 court-like1552 well-refined1575 nice1588 perpolite1592 politic1596 soft1599 terse1628 refine1646 refined1650 elegant1652 genteel1678 chastea1797 spirituala1806 aesthetic1844 nicey1859 raffiné1865 nuttish1869 too-tooa1884 sophisticated1895 lavender1928 1652 R. Brathwait Times Treasury 449 This their sundry excellent fancies confirmed; their elegant labours discovered. 1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 466. ⁋7 Every thing in Nature that can pretend to give elegant Delight. 1796 F. Burney Camilla I. 301 How delicate, how elegant, thought she, is this retired behaviour! 1854 Fraser's Mag. Mar. 355/2 Maria had given up the more elegant pursuits of the arts and letters. 1880 ‘Ouida’ Moths II. 253 Ischl has a little rusticity still in her elegant manners. 1913 Med. Council Dec. 475/1 The doctor of elegant tastes wanted elegant practice. 1978 E. B. Welles tr. A. Poliziano in B. G. Kohl & R. G. Witt Earthly Republic 322 He enjoyed painting, music, and all sorts of elegant activity. 2000 C. A. Barros & J. M. Smith Life-writings Brit. Women 1660–1815 284 She began to teach herself embroidery, drawing, flower-making, and other elegant pursuits. c. Of a person or the mind: characterized by delicacy of feeling; refined in manners, habits, or temperament. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > good taste > refinement > [adjective] > specifically of persons refined1598 polite1601 inlanda1616 researched1636 spirituel1673 elegant1691 kid-gloved1848 kid glove1856 fine-drawn1876 rose water1883 sophisticated1895 subtle1904 1691 M. Morgan Poem to Queen sig. A1^v The Gods did smile when you were Born, And you an Heavenly Beauty doth adorn. You with a Mind as elegant are blest. 1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 491. ⁋2 An utter Stranger to the..Delicacies that attend the Passion..in elegant Minds. 1797 A. Radcliffe Italian I. i. 3 Her features..expressed the tranquillity of an elegant mind. 1844 R. W. Emerson Ess. 2nd Ser. iv. 143 A sainted soul is always elegant. 1866 ‘G. Eliot’ Felix Holt I. i. 51 Such a stock of ideas may be made to tell in elegant society. 1959 P. O'Brian Unknown Shore i. 21 She climbed trees, whistled and shouted in a manner that distressed her elegant mother. 2008 M. P. Cosman & L. G. Jones Handbk. Life in Medieval World iii. x. 754 A gentleman, correct in behavior and elegant in manners. 6. Of food or drink: devoid of harsh or heavy features; (esp. of wine) well-balanced in terms of flavour, without an overpowering element. Also: designating such a flavour or smell. ΚΠ a1611 J. Mabbe tr. F. de Rojas Celestine (1972) 213 As for wine, I wanted none: the best was euer sente me, as your Monviedro, which is your rich Rioxa wine, your wine of Corsica, Raspis, Elegant Muscadine. ?1760 M. Bradley Brit. Housewife 526 They [sc. smelts] will thus be of a fine brown, very delicate, and will have all their own rich and elegant Flavour. 1863 T. G. Shaw Wine viii. 258 A bottle of the homely Mâcon, instead of the elegant Beaujolais, had to be called for. 1902 Hatch, Mansfield Price List Oct. 21 Piesporter, elegant, with refined flavour. 1955 H. J. Grossman Guide Wines, Spirits & Beers (rev. ed.) vi. 82 Est Est Est of Montefiascone, in the Lake Bolsena region, is a golden-hued Moscatello, with a pleasant and elegant bouquet. 1980 Washington Post (Nexis) 21 Sept. (Mag.) 13 Order earthy rather than elegant dishes: dense, long-simmered minestrone rather than lemony fish salad. 1992 Food Entertaining Summer 136/1 The wine is dry, light and elegant, with extremely fine, pale gold bubbles. 2007 M. L. Heiss & R. J. Heiss Story of Tea 128 The Chinese..coax elegant, fragrant, soft-style teas from their fresh leaves rather than the strong, fruity, and sometimes more astringent teas of the more major black tea-producing countries. 7. a. Of mathematical and scientific theorems, processes, devices, etc.: pleasing by ingenious simplicity and effectiveness. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > branch of knowledge > systematic knowledge, science > [adjective] > based on science > of procedures: simple elegant1615 1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 318 I will endeuour in this place to shew you Galens curious, elegant and acurate demonstration of the Communion of these vesselles. 1668 N. Culpeper & A. Cole tr. T. Bartholin Anat. (new ed.) iv. ix. 166 An elegant Workmanship of Nature. 1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. App. Cotesian theorem, an appellation used for an elegant property of the circle discovered by Mr. Cotes. 1807 T. Young Course Lect. Nat. Philos. I. iv. 36 The demonstration of this law, invented by Newton, was one of the most elegant applications of the geometry of infinites or indivisibles. 1823 J. Badcock Domest. Amusem. 198 An elegant cement may also be made from rice-flour. 1844 G. Bird Urinary Deposits iii. 72 An elegant mode of showing the composition of the deposit. 1952 G. Manley Climate & Brit. Scene iii. 32 We owe to Sir Geoffrey Taylor of Cambridge one of the most elegant discussions of the factors governing the depth and density of such fogs. 1966 Listener 1 Sept. 304/1 MacNeish's demonstration is particularly elegant because he could trace the whole processes in a small, almost self-contained area. 2009 Atlantic June 60/2 Although the iPod was a late entrant in a crowded market, the elegant little machine took the world by storm. b. Of a medicinal preparation: carefully, effectively, or cleverly formulated, esp. to have a pleasant taste, smell, or consistency. In early use also: †designating the formulation or administration of such a preparation (obsolete). Now rare. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > [adjective] > pleasant-tasting elegant1657 1657 N. Culpeper & W. Rowland tr. J. Johnstone Idea Pract. Physick iii. 28/1 An excellent way and Elegant [L. elegantissimè] to give it, is, to stick an apple with cloves and black Hellebore roots, and roast it in the Embers. 1670 tr. O. Croll Bazilica Chymica i. 55 There is another more elegant [L. elegantior] and pure Spirit of Salt of greater virtues, yet compounded of Nitre and common Salt. 1710 T. Fuller Pharmacopœia Extemporanea 127 It [sc. the Electuary] is an elegant [L. elegans] Composition for a troublesome..Cough. 1788 V. Knox Winter Evenings I. vi. 67 The physicians call a medicine which contains efficient ingredients in a small volume, and of a pleasant or tolerable taste, an elegant medicine. 1828 T. Castle Lexicon Pharmaceuticum (ed. 2) 169/2 This [sc. compound spirit of lavender] is an elegant and useful antispasmodic and stimulant. 1868 J. F. Royle & F. W. Headland Man. Materia Med. (ed. 5) 172 This elegant chalybeate has been long in use. 1952 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 8 Mar. 549/2 In treatment he showed no hesitation in abandoning the elegant potions and pills of the 'nineties. 1990 DVM Apr. 37 (advt.) It's a topical in an elegant, aqueous, vanishing cream base. 2007 M. Ash & I. Ash Handbk. Fillers, Extenders & Diluents (ed. 2) 190/1 Base for cosmetic and pharmaceutical..ointments, elegant cream formulations, esp. for antimycotic preps. 8. North American and Irish English. As a general term of approbation: very good, excellent, first-rate. Also as adv. Cf. iligant adj. N.E.D. (1891) marks this sense as erroneous.Somewhat archaic in North America. ΘΚΠ the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective] faireOE bremea1000 goodlyOE goodfulc1275 noblec1300 pricec1300 specialc1325 gentlec1330 fine?c1335 singulara1340 thrivena1350 thriven and throa1350 gaya1375 properc1380 before-passinga1382 daintiful1393 principala1398 gradelya1400 burlyc1400 daintyc1400 thrivingc1400 voundec1400 virtuousc1425 hathelc1440 curiousc1475 singlerc1500 beautiful1502 rare?a1534 gallant1539 eximious1547 jolly1548 egregious?c1550 jellyc1560 goodlike1562 brawc1565 of worth1576 brave?1577 surprising1580 finger-licking1584 admirablea1586 excellinga1586 ambrosial1598 sublimated1603 excellent1604 valiant1604 fabulous1609 pure1609 starryc1610 topgallant1613 lovely1614 soaringa1616 twanging1616 preclarent1623 primea1637 prestantious1638 splendid1644 sterling1647 licking1648 spankinga1666 rattling1690 tearing1693 famous1695 capital1713 yrare1737 pure and —1742 daisy1757 immense1762 elegant1764 super-extra1774 trimming1778 grand1781 gallows1789 budgeree1793 crack1793 dandy1794 first rate1799 smick-smack1802 severe1805 neat1806 swell1810 stamming1814 divine1818 great1818 slap-up1823 slapping1825 high-grade1826 supernacular1828 heavenly1831 jam-up1832 slick1833 rip-roaring1834 boss1836 lummy1838 flash1840 slap1840 tall1840 high-graded1841 awful1843 way up1843 exalting1844 hot1845 ripsnorting1846 clipping1848 stupendous1848 stunning1849 raving1850 shrewd1851 jammy1853 slashing1854 rip-staving1856 ripping1858 screaming1859 up to dick1863 nifty1865 premier cru1866 slap-bang1866 clinking1868 marvellous1868 rorty1868 terrific1871 spiffing1872 all wool and a yard wide1882 gorgeous1883 nailing1883 stellar1883 gaudy1884 fizzing1885 réussi1885 ding-dong1887 jim-dandy1888 extra-special1889 yum-yum1890 out of sight1891 outasight1893 smooth1893 corking1895 large1895 super1895 hot dog1896 to die for1898 yummy1899 deevy1900 peachy1900 hi1901 v.g.1901 v.h.c.1901 divvy1903 doozy1903 game ball1905 goodo1905 bosker1906 crackerjack1910 smashinga1911 jake1914 keen1914 posh1914 bobby-dazzling1915 juicy1916 pie on1916 jakeloo1919 snodger1919 whizz-bang1920 wicked1920 four-star1921 wow1921 Rolls-Royce1922 whizz-bang1922 wizard1922 barry1923 nummy1923 ripe1923 shrieking1926 crazy1927 righteous1930 marvy1932 cool1933 plenty1933 brahmaa1935 smoking1934 solid1935 mellow1936 groovy1937 tough1937 bottler1938 fantastic1938 readyc1938 ridge1938 super-duper1938 extraordinaire1940 rumpty1940 sharp1940 dodger1941 grouse1941 perfecto1941 pipperoo1945 real gone1946 bosting1947 supersonic1947 whizzo1948 neato1951 peachy-keen1951 ridgey-dite1953 ridgy-didge1953 top1953 whizzing1953 badass1955 wild1955 belting1956 magic1956 bitching1957 swinging1958 ridiculous1959 a treat1959 fab1961 bad-assed1962 uptight1962 diggish1963 cracker1964 marv1964 radical1964 bakgat1965 unreal1965 pearly1966 together1968 safe1970 bad1971 brilliant1971 fabby1971 schmick1972 butt-kicking1973 ripper1973 Tiffany1973 bodacious1976 rad1976 kif1978 awesome1979 death1979 killer1979 fly1980 shiok1980 stonking1980 brill1981 dope1981 to die1982 mint1982 epic1983 kicking1983 fabbo1984 mega1985 ill1986 posho1989 pukka1991 lovely jubbly1992 awesomesauce2001 nang2002 bess2006 amazeballs2009 boasty2009 daebak2009 beaut2013 1764 S. Blair Acct. Coll. New-Jersey 12 The college had..‘an elegant hall of genteel workmanship’. 1772 Massachusetts Spy 11 June 62/1 In the Evening they exhibited some elegant fire-works from the balcony. 1817 M. Birkbeck Notes Journey Amer. 152 You hear of an elegant mill, an elegant orchard, an elegant tan-yard, &c. and familiarly of elegant roads, meaning such as you may pass without extreme peril. The word implies eligibility or usefulness in America, but has nothing to do with taste. 1822 J. Woods Two Years' Resid. Eng. Prairie 203 This negro said, some very elegant potatoes grew on this land last year. 1887 Outing July 371/1 ‘I say, Chris, I've learned to ride a bicycle.’ ‘Have you?’ I said... ‘Well, what's it like?’ ‘Elegant,’ he said, flinging out his right arm with evident satisfaction, ‘just feel that muscle.’ 1896 ‘M. Twain’ Tom Sawyer, Detective viii in Tom Sawyer Abroad 158 You do it elegant; I never see anybody do it better. 1910 P. W. Joyce Eng. as we speak it in Ireland xiii. 254 That's an elegant pig of yours. 1935 Joplin (Missouri) Globe 8 June 14/4 Harry Leon Wilson quit drinking coffee for two years, then one morning downed in a row six cups of a hefty brew and did he feel elegant! 1948 T. Capote Other Voices, Other Rooms ii. 59 We gonna get along just elegant. 2004 T. P. Dolan Dict. Hiberno-Eng. (2006) 85/1 Elegant, good, fine, excellent. ‘That's an elegant day’; ‘That's an elegant child you have there.’ Compounds C1. Parasynthetic and complementary, as elegant-looking, elegant-mannered, elegant-minded, elegant-sounding, etc. ΚΠ 1616 T. Coryate Traveller for Eng. Wits 44 That courteous, sweet, and elegant-natured and nurtured gentleman. M. William Forde. 1640 W. Gilbert Architectonice Consolationis 18 To this purpose that elegant tongu'd Father. 1799 T. R. Malthus Diary 3 July (1966) 117 We had met with many pretty elegant looking women. 1808 H. More Cœlebs in Search of Wife I. iv. 38 Sir John is a valuable, elegant-minded man. 1882 Harper's Mag. Nov. 950/1 He is a very elegant-mannered young man. 1920 S. Kerr Painted Meadows xi. 98 I hope they'll have one of those elegant tasting Minnehaha cakes. 1973 J. P. Donleavy Fairy Tale of N.Y. xxi. 215 A white coated and elegant legged woman gets up to lead Christian through a door. 2009 T. Kraus Renewal xi. 126 Salon shoes, with some elegant-sounding Italian name printed on the inside. C2. elegant arts n. (chiefly with the) those creative activities whose products are intended to be a source of aesthetic pleasure to people of refinement and cultivated taste (frequently opposed to useful arts n. at useful adj. and n. Compounds); cf. fine art n. 1a. ΚΠ ?1649 tr. H. Wotton Panegyrick King Charles 103 Italy (the greatest mother of elegant Arts [L. elegantium Artium]). 1716 J. Addison Free-holder No. 21. 120 She has a fine Taste of the elegant Arts. 1796 Monthly Rev. Apr. 413 He disclaims the extravagant pretensions of too many of his countrymen to a knowlege not only of the useful but the elegant arts. 1821 W. M. Craig Lect. Drawing i. 1 A high state of the elegant arts..is indicative of great advancement in civilization. 1915 J. T. Welsh Addresses 71 The elegant arts seldom, if ever, flourish when trade and commercial prosperity are stagnant. 2010 S. Lee in P. F. Williams Asian Literary Voices i. 24 Many were trained in the elegant arts. † elegant mint n. Obsolete rare the bushy red mint, Mentha × gentilis. ΚΠ 1821 S. F. Gray Nat. Arrangem. Brit. Plants II. 364 Elegant mint. Stem very much branched, spreading; leaves ovate, blunt, serrated. 1829 J. Togno & E. Durand tr. H. Milne-Edwards & P. Vavasseur Man. Materia Medica vi. 199 The most used of them are, the Crisped Mint, Mentha crispa, Lin.; the Green Mint, M. Viridis,..the Elegant Mint, M. gentilis, Lin. elegant variation n. (an instance of) variation in wording introduced to avoid repetition; the practice of studiously avoiding repetition in this way (esp. as a fault of style); also in extended use (sometimes ironic).The literary use of elegant variation was critically examined by the Fowlers in The King's English and Modern English Usage: cf. quots. 1906, 1926. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > inelegance > [noun] > excessive variation elegant variation1735 1735 J. Collyer Gen. Princ. Gram. 75 As we affect brevity..it not only answers that end, but introduces an elegant variation of phrase. 1779 D. MacNicol Remarks Johnson's Journey to Hebrides 292 Every object of nature, and every instrument of the common and general arts, has many vocables to express it; such as suit all the elegant variations that either the poet or orator may chuse to make. 1818 Repository of Arts Oct. 231/2 An elegant variation in demisemiquavers follows. 1824 Eclectic Rev. Jan. 89 Such elegant variations as gollop for gallop, nut for not, sile for soil.., and a thousand others, come under the general description of a peculiarity of pronunciation. 1906 H. W. Fowler & F. G. Fowler King's Eng. iii. 178 The locking of arms is..only an elegant variation for clinging. 1926 H. W. Fowler Dict. Mod. Eng. Usage 131/1 It is the second-rate writers..that are chiefly open to the allurements of elegant variation. 1981 Guardian Weekly 5 July 21 Most of the costumes are..elegant variations on dancers' practice dress. 1982 Washington Post 7 May d2/6 The excremental monosyllable..rarely occurs less than twice per page and often as many as five, with a ‘f—’ or two stuck in for elegant variation. 1999 J. Raban Passage to Juneau vii. 365 There was no attempt at elegant variation in the scatological stream. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.1780adj.adv.c1475
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elegantn.

elegantadj.adv.

Compounds