belletristic

English

Etymology

From belletrist +‎ -ic.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /bɛl.lɛˈtɹɪs.tɪk/

Adjective

belletristic (comparative more belletristic, superlative most belletristic)

1. Of, pertaining to, or having the characteristics of belles-lettres.
   • 1986, Aizawa Seishisai (Translated by Bob Tadashi Wakabayashi), Anti-Foreignism and Western Learning in Early-Modern Japan: The New Theses of 1825, Harvard University Press, page 169:

     […] if they do not owe their allegiance to shamanism or Buddhism, then most surely they commit themselves to some perverse form of Confucianism or belletristic foolishness.

   • 2002, Joseph O'Connor, Star of the Sea, Vintage, published 2003, page 229:

     The guest list was a roll call of belletristic London.

2. Written or appreciated for aesthetic value rather than content
   • 1992, Isaac Bashevis Singer (Translated by Leonard Wolf), The Certificate, Farrar Straus Giroux, page 1:

     I had already concluded that not one of my writings was publishable, having myself analyzed the faults of my belletristic production.

Derived terms

• belletristically

 

Related terms

• belletrist

Translations

pertaining to belles-lettres

• German: belletristisch (de), schöngeistig
• Hungarian: szépirodalmi (hu)
• Polish: beletrystyczny (pl)