Word Study
belle
CIDE DICTIONARY
belle, n. [F. belle, fem. of bel, beau, beautiful, fine. See Beau.].
A young lady of superior beauty and attractions; a handsome lady, or one who attracts notice in society; a fair lady. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
belle, n.
1 a beautiful woman.
2 a woman recognized as the most beautiful (the belle of the ball).
1 a beautiful woman.
2 a woman recognized as the most beautiful (the belle of the ball).
Etymology
F f. L bella fem. of bellus beautiful
THESAURUS
belle
Miss America, bathing beauty, beau ideal, beaut, beauty, beauty contest winner, beauty queen, bunny, charmer, cover girl, dazzler, dream, enchantress, fine lady, grande dame, great beauty, knockout, lady fair, looker, model, paragon, peach, pinup, pinup girl, precieuse, pussycat, raving beauty, reigning beauty, sex kitten, slick chick, stunner, toastFor further exploring for "belle" in Webster Dictionary Online