belle

To curve outward in appearance like the shape of a bell. Graphs of population densities in major cities usually bell out, with the highest numbers in the center and a steady decrease into surrounding areas. Vintage-style jeans bell out at the end, which is why they call them bell bottoms. Then, at this point in the mural, the pattern will bell out into an explosion of colors.

cliché The woman who draws the most attention in a certain social situation. Honey, in this beautiful prom gown, you'll be the belle of the ball!

The most beautiful or most popular person present. The word belle, for “beautiful woman,” came into English directly from French in the early seventeenth century. After balls and similar grand social occasions became relatively rare, the original meaning—the reigning beauty at a dance—was widened to include the outstanding individual (male or female) at virtually any gathering. Today the term is often used ironically, for someone who would like to be so regarded.

The most appealing woman at a dance or another social occasion. “Ball” refers to a formal dance, at which there was usually one female who was the cynosure of all male eyes. At other occasions too—case in point: Scarlett O'Hara at the barbecue at Tara where men fell all over themselves to fetch her a plate of food. Fiddle-dee-dee indeed.