This week's theme
Words seen in their plural forms

This week's words
auspices
paparazzi
cognoscenti
mores
antipodes

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(kon-yuh-SHEN-tee, kog-nuh-)

MEANING:

noun: Those with informed appreciation of a particular topic, such as fine arts or literature.

ETYMOLOGY:

Plural of obsolete Italian cognoscente, from conoscere (to know). Modern Italian form of the word, conoscente, means acquaintance -- you want to use the word intenditore or conoscitore if you mean cognoscente. Earliest documented use: 1777.

USAGE:

"Some passages in Hergé, Son of Tintin seem directed at the cognoscenti. The excursions into prewar Belgian politics are not for everyone."
Cullen Murphy; Georges Remi: Learning His Lines; The New York Times; Jan 20, 2012.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: