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]