Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun The quality characteristic of a dilettante; specifically, in a disparaging sense, desultory or affected pursit of art, science, or literature.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun Same as dilettanteism.

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

  • noun The act of behaving like a dilettante, of being an amateur or "dabbler", sometimes in the arts. Also the act of enjoying the arts, being a connoisseur.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From dilettante +‎ -ism.

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Examples

  • The canceling out of interest in morality has led to a kind of dilettantism of attitude that he shares with Robert Bly, in their preoccupation with the results of fantasy, dreaming, laziness, etc.

    Sunrise... midday beach-scape... moonrise hammock-scape. Ann Althouse 2008

  • But the dilettantism that he is slurrinig is, to my mind, exactly the same kind of dilettantism you might accuse Richard Stallman of: that of the user insisting of having a measure of control (or the ability to influence) the technologies they have to use: in the case of Stallman, this gets conducted in the arena of home-made software and open-source, in the case of standard technologies, it has to be conducted in the arena of standards bodies and open standards.

    Planet XML 2009

  • Because Trump is a celebrity, the media basically forgive his never-to-evolve political dilettantism.

    Donald Trump Brings His 'Pretend To Run For President' Act To CPAC Jason Linkins 2011

  • Because Trump is a celebrity, the media basically forgive his never-to-evolve political dilettantism.

    Donald Trump Brings His 'Pretend To Run For President' Act To CPAC Jason Linkins 2011

  • The ABC's abstinence, be faithful and condoms of HIV prevention provided more than enough fuel for arguments for and against the program--arguments that smacked more of political dilettantism than critical thinking.

    Georgianne Nienaber: Will PEPFAR HIV Funding Be Flatlined by Budget Battles? Georgianne Nienaber 2011

  • You may distrust, if you wish, this development as the expression of an avid dilettantism.

    What is unique to Catholic music? 2009

  • From the boogie woogie of "Crabbuckit" to his frenetic rework of a classic club jam on "Superstarr Pt. Zero," K-OS fluidly incorporates a variety of influences in a way that might have come across as dilettantism in less-capable hands.

    Nightlife Agenda: Paul Oakenfold, Michael Mayer and outdoor parties 2010

  • Has this rather eclectic progress through working life been the product of necessity, choice, dilettantism or confusion?

    Jim Powell: Multiple Choices 2010

  • I got back into photography a few years ago, taking more detailed, patterned pictures on a digital cameraphone, but it was a mild dilettantism in comparison.

    Making Light: Open thread 135 2010

  • Has this rather eclectic progress through working life been the product of necessity, choice, dilettantism or confusion?

    Jim Powell: Multiple Choices 2010

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