bel es·prit \ˌbeˌleˈsprē, ˌbeləˈs-\noun (pluralbeaux es·prits \ˌbōˌze-ˈsprē, ˌbōzəˈs-\) Etymology: French, literally, fine mind : a person with a fine and gifted mind < as a bel esprit she despised pedantry whether in a man or in a bluestocking — Robert Halsband >