cognoscenti

[ kon-yuh-shen-tee, kog-nuh- ]

/ ˌkɒn yəˈʃɛn ti, ˌkɒg nə- /

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plural noun, singular co·gno·scen·te [kon-yuh-tee, kog-nuh-] /ˌkɒn yə ti, ˌkɒg nə-/.

persons who have superior knowledge and understanding of a particular field, especially in the fine arts, literature, and world of fashion.

Nearby words

Also conoscenti.

Origin of cognoscenti

1770–80; < Italian, Latinized variant of conoscente (present participle of conoscere to know) < L. See cognition, -ent

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cognoscenti

The backlash from the dance music critics and cognoscenti has been neck-snapping.
Daft Punk Goes Back to the Future With ‘Random Access Memories’|Tricia Romano|May 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
By her side was the guitar on which she had been practising the airs that were to ravish the ears of the cognoscenti.
Zicci, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
On a Broadway first night a wooer of fame may win it from the ticket buyers over the heads of the cognoscenti.
Rolling Stones|O. Henry
It was but lately that I dined with a group of the Cognoscenti.
Chimney-Pot Papers|Charles S. Brooks

Little did he imagine what the cognoscenti of the twentieth century would think of it.
George Cruikshank|W. H. Chesson
This gave time to the cognoscenti to remark her costume, which was ravishing, and to try to see her feet; but they were too small.
The Young Duke|Benjamin Disraeli

British Dictionary definitions for cognoscenti

cognoscenti

conoscenti

/ (ˌkɒnjəʊˈʃɛntɪ, ˌkɒɡnəʊ-) /

pl n singular -te (-tiː)

(sometimes singular) people with informed appreciation of a particular field, esp in the fine arts; connoisseurs

Word Origin for cognoscenti

C18: from obsolete Italian (modern conoscente), from Latin cognōscere to know, learn about

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for cognoscenti