DILETTANTE


Meaning of DILETTANTE in English

I. ˌdilə̇ˈtäntē, -ˈtan-, -ˈtaan-, -ˈtȧn-, -nti sometimes -lēˈ- or -n.ˌtā; | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|tänt, -|tant, -|taa(ə)nt, -|tȧnt noun

also dil·et·tant three syllables ; or dil·le·tante like dilettante

( plural dilet·tantes -ntēz, -ntiz, -n(t)s sometimes -n.ˌtāz ; or dilet·tan·ti -n(.ˌ)tē, -nti ; also dilet·tants -n(t)s ; or dille·tantes like dilettantes ; or dille·tan·ti -n(.ˌ)tē, -nti)

Etymology: Italian dilettante, from present participle of dilettare to delight, from Latin delectare — more at delight

1.

a. : an admirer or lover of the arts

b. : a person who has discrimination or taste especially in aesthetic matters : connoisseur

2.

a. : a person who cultivates an art or branch of knowledge as a pastime without pursuing it professionally

b. : a person who pursues an art or branch of knowledge sporadically, superficially, or frivolously

II. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷(ˌ) ̷ ̷, | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adjective

: of or characteristic of a dilettante : amateurish

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.