Cognoscenti

/ˌkɒɡnɒˈʃɛnti/ noun

Definition

Plural of cognoscente or cognoscent; a group of people who are knowledgeable and have sophisticated understanding of art, culture, or other refined subjects.

Etymology

Italian plural of 'cognoscente,' from Latin 'cognoscens.' Entered English in the 18th century as a borrowed term to describe educated, cultured groups.

Kelly Says

The cognoscenti are basically the 'in crowd' of any cultural scene—opera cognoscenti, wine cognoscenti, fashion cognoscenti—they're the people who know all the insider details and can spot quality instantly!

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