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Definition of belles-lettres noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

belles-lettres

noun

/ˌbel ˈletrə/

/ˌbel ˈletrə/

[uncountable + singular or plural verb] (from French, old-fashioned)

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studies or writings on the subject of literature or art, contrasted with those on technical or scientific subjects
Word Originmid 17th cent.: from French, literally ‘fine letters’.

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See belles-lettres in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

Check pronunciation: belles-lettres

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