Word of the Day 8.22.9

dilettante

dil·et·tante (dl-tänt, dl-tänt, -tänt, -tnt, -tnt)

n. pl. dil·et·tantes also dil·et·tan·ti (-tänt, -tn-)

1. A dabbler in an art or a field of knowledge. See Synonyms at amateur.

2. A lover of the fine arts; a connoisseur.

adj.

Superficial; amateurish.

[Italian, lover of the arts, from present participle of dilettare, to delight, from Latin dlectre; see delight.]

dilet·tantish adj.

dilet·tantism n.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Noun

1.

dilettante – an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge

amateur – someone who pursues a study or sport as a pastime

Adj.

1.

dilettante – showing frivolous or superficial interest; amateurish; “his dilettantish efforts at painting”

superficial – concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually; “superficial similarities”; “a superficial mind”; “his thinking was superficial and fuzzy”; “superficial knowledge”; “the superficial report didn’t give the true picture”; “only superficial differences”

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Posted on August 22, 2009 by admin

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