[a. F. beau monde, i.e. fine world.] The fashionable world, ‘society.’
1714. Pope, Rape Lock, V. 133. This the beau monde shall from the Mall survey.
1756. Nugent, Gr. Tour., I. 116. The beau-monde used to go in masquerade about the streets.
1823. Byron, Juan, XIV. xx. Of the beau monde a part potential.
