connoisseur
UK: ˌkɒnəˈsɜː(r) | US: ˌkɑːnəˈsɜːr
n. an expert judge in matters of taste, especially in art, food, or wine
n. a person with deep knowledge or appreciation of a subject
connoisseur = con<with> + noiss<know> + eur<agent suffix>
- con<with>: From Latin cum, meaning "with" or "thoroughly."
- noiss<know>: Derived from Old French conoistre (modern connaître), meaning "to know," from Latin cognoscere ("to learn, recognize").
- eur<agent suffix>: A French suffix indicating a person associated with an action (e.g., amateur from aimer, "to love").
Etymology Origin:
The word entered English in the 18th century from French connoisseur (modern connaisseur), originally describing someone who "knows thoroughly." It reflects the Renaissance ideal of cultivated expertise in arts and luxury. The Latin root cognoscere ("to recognize") ties to intellectual discernment, evolving into a term for refined judgment in elite circles.
She is a connoisseur of rare wines, able to identify vintages by taste alone.
The gallery hired a connoisseur to authenticate the painting.
As a coffee connoisseur, he travels the world to sample unique blends.
Only a true connoisseur can appreciate the subtle craftsmanship of this porcelain.
His reputation as a connoisseur of jazz earned him respect among musicians.