Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ



Jul 31, 2013
This week's theme
Words seen in their plural forms

This week's words
auspices
paparazzi
cognoscenti
mores
antipodes

Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

cognoscenti

PRONUNCIATION:
(kon-yuh-SHEN-tee, kog-nuh-)

MEANING:
noun: Those with informed appreciation of a particular topic, such as fine arts or literature.

ETYMOLOGY:
Plural of obsolete Italian cognoscente, from conoscere (to know). Modern Italian form of the word, conoscente, means acquaintance -- you want to use the word intenditore or conoscitore if you mean cognoscente. Earliest documented use: 1777.

USAGE:
"Some passages in Hergé, Son of Tintin seem directed at the cognoscenti. The excursions into prewar Belgian politics are not for everyone."
Cullen Murphy; Georges Remi: Learning His Lines; The New York Times; Jan 20, 2012.

See more usage examples of cognoscenti in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words. -Robert Frost, poet (1874-1963)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith