Main Entry: con·nois·seur

Pronunciation: \ˌkä-nə-ˈsər also -ˈsu̇r\

Function: noun

Etymology: obsolete French (now connaisseur), from Old French connoisseor, from connoistre to know, from Latin cognoscere — more at cognition

Date: 1714

1 : expert; especially : one who understands the details, technique, or principles of an art and is competent to act as a critical judge
2 : one who enjoys with discrimination and appreciation of subtleties <a connoisseur of fine wines>

— con·nois·seur·ship \-ˌship\ noun