n. [ F. connaisseur, formerly connoisseur, fr. connaître to know, fr. L. cognoscere to become acquainted with; co- + noscere, gnoscere, to learn to know. See Know, and cf. Cognizor. ] One well versed in any subject; a skillful or knowing person; a critical judge of any art, particulary of one of the fine arts. [ 1913 Webster ]
The connoisseur is “one who knows, ” as opposed to the dilettant, who only “thinks he knows.” Fairholt. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. State of being a connoisseur. [ 1913 Webster ]