1665: Aesthetic Jul 6, 2019

The word 'aesthetic' is an old one, but doesn't have a very old meaning. It used to mean ‘sensation’ until Alexander Gottlieb Baumgarten used the term in philosophy in his book "Aesthetica" (1750), it really did not relate to art or beauty. Now, however, the word means “concerned with beauty” in a philosophical sense, and then it also gained the meaning of ‘pleasantly appearing’. It is not typical that a word would shift so suddenly, but given as it opened new avenues in philosophical expression, it was evidently substantial enough. 
Support Word Facts at patreon.com/wordfacts
Previous
Previous

1666: Sea of Galilee and Other Names Jul 7, 2019

Next
Next

1664: 'Fire' in Movies Jul 5, 2019