aesthetics
UK: iːsˈθet.ɪks | US: esˈθet̬.ɪks
n. the branch of philosophy dealing with beauty and artistic taste
n. a set of principles underlying the work of a particular artist or artistic movement
n. the pleasing appearance or effect of something
The word "aesthetics" originates from the Greek aisthētikos (αἰσθητικός), meaning "perceptive" or "sensitive," derived from aisthēta (αἰσθητά), "perceptible things." The German philosopher Alexander Baumgarten adapted the term in the 18th century to describe the study of beauty and art, giving it its modern philosophical meaning. The suffix -ics (from Greek -ika) denotes a field of study, forming "aesthetics" as the discipline of sensory perception and artistic judgment.
The aesthetics of the minimalist design emphasize clean lines and open spaces.
She studied aesthetics to understand how cultural values influence art.
The film’s visual aesthetics were praised for their vibrant color palette.
His approach to garden design blends functionality with aesthetics.
Critics debated the aesthetics of the controversial sculpture.