Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Plural form of cognoscente.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • But more important to opera cognoscenti is his superb voice.

    The King of the Lyric Basses Barrymore Laurence Scherer 2010

  • First, this is a reminder to all of us who try to communicate climate science to the general public - or even to the media elite and other opinion makers erroneously labeled the "cognoscenti" - not to take the most basic fact of climate science for granted.

    Climate Progress Joe 2010

  • First, this is a reminder to all of us who try to communicate climate science to the general public - or even to the media elite and other opinion makers erroneously labeled the "cognoscenti" - not to take the most basic fact of climate science for granted.

    Center for American Progress Action Fund Joe 2010

  • First, this is a reminder to all of us who try to communicate climate science to the general public - or even to the media elite and other opinion makers erroneously labeled the "cognoscenti" - not to take the most basic fact of climate science for granted.

    Climate Progress Joe 2010

  • There is another point of view, to which I adhere, that says the cognoscenti are a much larger category of society than envisioned by the holders of bad news, that they are self-defining, not pre-defined by race, occupation, wealth, age, sex, or any other characteristic than their willingness to deliberately access information and process it responsibly.

    Tell It Like It Is 2009

  • "cognoscenti" - elitist, agoraphobic, self-referential, intellectual narcissists with asthma and a tendency towards pasty skin and the use of words like "cognoscenti".

    truckeratlas Diary Entry truckeratlas 2004

  • As a member of this group of "cognoscenti" (those who are aware or have special knowledge), this (in the conservative individual's mind) automatically makes them one of the arbiters of law and morality for the "clueless" mass of humanity.

    Sleight of Hand 2007

  • Therefore, for those unaware of the nature of this programme, I’m A Tosser as it is known amongst the cognoscenti is a programme that – seemingly - every few weeks trawls the fetid bottom of the celebrity swamp.

    I’m A Publicity Seeking Tosser, Bury Me Alive…. David Hadley 2009

  • Therefore, for those unaware of the nature of this programme, I’m A Tosser as it is known amongst the cognoscenti is a programme that – seemingly - every few weeks trawls the fetid bottom of the celebrity swamp.

    Archive 2009-04-01 David Hadley 2009

  • So judged the leader of the 'cognoscenti', and, in accordance with his views, Elgin and Aberdeen are held up to ridicule in 'English

    Byron's Poetical Works, Volume 1 George Gordon Byron Byron 1806

Comments

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  • from Italian to mean literally "In the know"

    people who are considered to be especially well-informed about a subject

    the pleasant way to call someone a know-it-all!

    April 19, 2009

  • The cognoscenti are the people who know about things. If my friends at Wordnik wish to be considered cognoscenti, they will come up with a definition for this word which has been queried 24 times.

    July 19, 2009

  • The cognoscenti are the people who know about things. If my friends at Wordnik wish to be considered cognoscenti, they will come up with a definition for this word which has been queried 24 times.

    July 19, 2009

  • See the less-used singular, "cognoscente," for a definition.

    June 14, 2010