Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - aesthetic

 I. adjective  also esthetic or ~al or esthetical  Etymology: German asthetisch, from New Latin ~us, from Greek aisthetikos of sense perception, from aisthanesthai to perceive — more at audible  Date: 1798  1.  a. of, relating to, or dealing with ~s or the beautiful ~ theories  b. artistic a work of ~ value  c. pleasing in appearance ; attractive easy-to-use keyboards, clear graphics, and other ergonomic and ~ features — Mark Mehler  2. appreciative of, responsive to, or zealous about the beautiful; also responsive to or appreciative of what is pleasurable to the senses  • ~ally also esthetically adverb  II. noun  also esthetic  Date: 1822  1. plural but singular or plural in construction a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste and with the creation and appreciation of beauty  2. a particular theory or conception of beauty or art ; a particular taste for or approach to what is pleasing to the senses and especially sight modernist ~s staging new ballets which reflected the ~ of the new nation — Mary Clarke & Clement Crisp  3. plural a pleasing appearance or effect ; beauty appreciated the ~s of the gemstones