Pl. -ti. [Ital. cognoscente, Latinized form of conoscente knowing man, connoisseur:—L. cognōscent-em, pr. pple. of cognōscĕre to know, etc.: see COGNOSCE.] One who knows a subject thoroughly; a connoisseur: chiefly in reference to the fine arts.
1778. Phil. Surv. S. Irel., 450. The Cognoscenti, I think, allow that Ireland is a school of music.
1795. Mason, Ch. Mus., i. 77 (L.). A person of the most refined Musical taste, an absolute Cognoscentê.
1862. Thornbury, Turner, II. 325. [Turner] neglected by the rich cognoscenti of the day.
