bluestocking society
- noun
- /ˈbluːˌstɑːkɪŋ səˈsaɪəti/
- Archaic
:
sociedad de bluestocking
- She joined a bluestocking society to meet like-minded women with a passion for books.
Examples
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The bluestocking society would hold weekly salons to debate poetry and philosophy.
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The bluestocking society met every Thursday evening.
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Historical records note the influence these bluestocking societies had on literary culture.
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Many famous authors were part of a bluestocking society.
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In the 18th century, many women joined the bluestocking society to share their love for literature and philosophy.
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The bluestocking society provided a platform for educated women to engage in meaningful discussions about the arts and sciences.
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Members of the bluestocking society often invited prominent writers and thinkers to share their ideas during gatherings.
Synonyms
A club where women meet to support each other's work and learning
How Intellectual
58
6.4
3
6.8
- Archaic
32
2.8
7
2.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly compositional: 'bluestocking' (an intellectual woman) + 'society' (an association) yields 'an association of intellectual women.' The noun + society pattern is a regular, transparent English formation and, aside from the historical/rare usage of 'bluestocking', the meaning is predictable for learners who know both constituents.
Etymology
Bluestocking society may come from a picture in the 1700s when a man called Benjamin Stillingfleet wore plain blue stockings to women’s reading gatherings instead of formal clothes. People began calling the meetings and the educated women bluestocking, so bluestocking society now means a group of 'educated women' who meet to 'discuss literature' and ideas.