connoisseur, n.
(‖ kɔnesœːr, kɒnɪˈsjʊə(r))
[F. connoisseur, former spelling of connaisseur:—OF. conoiseor:—L. cognōscitōr-em, agent-n. from cognōscĕre: see cognosce.]
† 1. One who knows, one versed in a subject. Obs.
| 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. v. §27 Commendation of Honour and Good-nature: but the former of these, by Connoisseurs, is always understood to mean nothing but Fashion. a 1734 North Lives (1826), By his Perpetual inquisitiveness..he became no ordinary connoisseur in the sciences. |
2. spec. A person well acquainted with one of the fine arts, and competent to pass a judgement in relation thereto; a critical judge of art or of matters of taste.
| 1714 Mandeville Fable of Bees (1723) 374 There are Parties among Connoisseurs, and few of them agree in their esteem. 1719 J. Richardson (title) Two Discourses on the Art of Criticism, as it relates to Painting and the Sciences of a Connoisseur. 1753 Hogarth Anal. Beauty 3 Painters and connoisseurs are the only competent judges. a 1764 Lloyd Cit's C. Box Poet. Wks. 1774 I. 44 Blest age! when all men may procure, The title of a Connoisseur. a 1839 Praed Poems (1864) II. 13 Now impudent, and now demure, Now blockhead and now connoisseur. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) III. 9 In the connoisseurs of music, or in the lovers of theatricals. |
b. transf. A critic or judge in other matters of taste (e.g. of wines, delicacies, etc.).
| 1796 Morse Amer. Geog. I. 192 The cyder made from [the crab apple] is admired by connoissuers. 1838 Lytton Alice 59 Merton was a connoisseur in ladies' dress. 1883 G. Lloyd Ebb & Flow I. 46 Looked..as a connoisseur does at a bottle of rare wine. |
Hence connoiˈsseur v. connoiˈsseuring ppl. a.
| a 1821 Keats Cap & Bells xlvii, Admired it with a connoisseuring look. a 1828 Blake in Gilchrist Life (1880) I. 259 Every man..who has not been connoisseured out of his senses. 1966 K. Giles Provenance of Death iv. 114, I didn't know you connoisseured these arts, sir. |