cognoscenti

[ kon-yuh-shen-tee, kog-nuh- ]

/ ˌkɒn yəˈʃɛn ti, ˌkɒg nə- /

persons who have superior knowledge and understanding of a particular field, especially in the fine arts, literature, and world of fashion.

Also conoscenti.

Origin of cognoscenti

1770–80; < Italian, Latinized variant of conoscente (present participle of conoscere to know) < L. See cognition, -ent

The backlash from the dance music critics and cognoscenti has been neck-snapping.

Daft Punk Goes Back to the Future With ‘Random Access Memories’ |Tricia Romano |May 21, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
By her side was the guitar on which she had been practising the airs that were to ravish the ears of the cognoscenti.

Zicci, Complete |Edward Bulwer-Lytton
On a Broadway first night a wooer of fame may win it from the ticket buyers over the heads of the cognoscenti.

Rolling Stones |O. Henry
It was but lately that I dined with a group of the Cognoscenti.

Chimney-Pot Papers |Charles S. Brooks

Little did he imagine what the cognoscenti of the twentieth century would think of it.

George Cruikshank |W. H. Chesson
This gave time to the cognoscenti to remark her costume, which was ravishing, and to try to see her feet; but they were too small.

The Young Duke |Benjamin Disraeli

cognoscenti

/ (ˌkɒnjəʊˈʃɛntɪ, ˌkɒɡnəʊ-) /

(sometimes singular) people with informed appreciation of a particular field, esp in the fine arts; connoisseurs

C18: from obsolete Italian (modern conoscente), from Latin cognōscere to know, learn about