Dictionary.net

[=e]s-thet'iks, n. the feeling of beauty in objects, the principles of taste and of art: the philosophy of the fine arts.--n. ÆS'THETE, a professed disciple of æstheticism, one who affects an extravagant love of art.--adjs. ÆSTHET'IC, ÆSTHET'ICAL, pertaining to æsthetics.--adv. ÆSTHET'ICALLY.--ns. ÆSTHETI'CIAN, ÆSTHET'ICIST, one devoted to æsthetics; ÆSTHET'ICISM, the principles of æsthetics: the cult of the beautiful, applied esp. to an art movement in London in the last quarter of the 19th century, which aimed at carrying art into every home and every relation of life, but made itself ridiculous by its fantastic and superficial dogmatism, and its puerility.--v.t. ÆSTHET'ICIZE, to render æsthetic, to refine. [Gr. aisth[=e]tikos, perceptive--aisthanesthai, to feel or perceive.]