Synonyms for esthetics

Grammar : Noun

Spell : es-thet-iks

Phonetic Transcription : ɛsˈθɛt ɪks

Définition of esthetics

Origin : 1798, from German Ästhetisch or French esthétique, both from Greek aisthetikos "sensitive, perceptive," from aisthanesthai "to perceive (by the senses or by the mind), to feel," from PIE *awis-dh-yo-, from root *au- "to perceive" (see audience).
Popularized in English by translation of Immanuel Kant, and used originally in the classically correct sense "the science which treats of the conditions of sensuous perception." Kant had tried to correct the term after Alexander Baumgarten had taken it in German to mean "criticism of taste" (1750s), but Baumgarten's sense attained popularity in English c.1830s (despite scholarly resistance) and removed the word from any philosophical base. Walter Pater used it (1868) to describe the late 19c. movement that advocated "art for art's sake," which further blurred the sense. As an adjective by 1803. Related: Aesthetically.

As in aesthetics : noun principles of art

Example sentences :

Drafts for the dedication, the preface, and for a work on Esthetics.
Extract from : « Albert Durer » by T. Sturge Moore

There is a lecture on the esthetics of modern art at Philamo Hall.
Extract from : « The Raid on the Termites » by Paul Ernst

What has the author to say of education, religion and esthetics?
Extract from : « The Complete Club Book for Women » by Caroline French Benton

Associated words: esthetics, æsthetic, æstheticism, æsthete.
Extract from : « Putnam's Word Book » by Louis A. Flemming

These flowers were the only concession to esthetics that Mr. Flint indulged.
Extract from : « The Blood Red Dawn » by Charles Caldwell Dobie

The Neapolitan was one of those most preoccupied with esthetics.
Extract from : « Csar or Nothing » by Po Baroja Baroja

On passing through the spectacular aspects of lighting we finally emerge into the esthetics of light and lighting.
Extract from : « Artificial Light » by M. Luckiesh

It is attractive in style and indicates an abundant familiarity with the subject, both as a naturalist and a student of esthetics.
Extract from : « The Alden Catalogue of Choice Books, May 30, 1889 » by John B. Alden

It is not by reading manuals of esthetics, but by leaning on nature herself that the artist discovers and expresses beauty.
Extract from : « Rodin: The Man and his Art » by Judith Cladel

The ignorant and the professors of esthetics who do not know the source of all this have named it Greek idealism.
Extract from : « Rodin: The Man and his Art » by Judith Cladel

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019