beau idéal

Definitions

1. Nonstandard spelling of beau idéal.
   alt-of, nonstandard
2. Ideal excellence, or an imaginary standard of perfection.
3. An emulable eidolon embodying excellence in a particular respect.

Examples

“I never knew any debatable point⟳ not maintained on both sides by unanswerable arguments; and yet you are angry that he has not thrown every advantage aside to enact your beau-idéal of patriotic excellence.”

“"The Duc de Guise," said Mercœur, "is quite my beau ideal of the days of chivalry. His adventures, whether of love⟳ or war, seem like⟳ the old Provençal ballads; my only marvel is, where in these days he finds his romantic matériel."”

CEFR level