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aesthetics

aes·thet·ics [ es théttiks ] or es·thet·ics [ es théttiks ]


noun 
Definition:
 
1. outward appearance: the way something looks, especially when considered in terms of how pleasing it is ( takes a singular or plural verb )

2. idea of beauty: an idea of what is beautiful or artistic ( takes a singular or plural verb )

3. arts study of art: the study of the rules and principles of art ( takes a singular verb )

4. philosophy study of beauty: the branch of philosophy dealing with the study of aesthetic values, e.g. the beautiful and the sublime ( takes a singular verb )

[Early 19th century. Via modern Latin aesthetica< Greek aisthētikos (see aesthetic), perhaps after athletics]
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