Obs. [F. connoissance, now connaiss-, knowledge, acquaintance.] At the time connoisseur was adopted in its art sense, there was an attempt also to introduce this word for the corresponding quality of special knowledge.
1730–6. Bailey (folio), Connoissance, a solid and critical Judgment in any Art or Science; particularly in Painting, Sculpture, etc.
1756. Amory, Buncle (1770), II. 170. A great master on the fiddle, and very knowing in connoissance.
1762–71. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), IV. 33. Being in search of a proper term for this science, Mr. Prior proposed to name it connoissance; but that word has not obtained possession as connoisseur has.
1860. G. A. Sala, in Cornh. Mag., I. 565. Pope [? Prior] even proposed to found a science of picture-tasting, and to call it ‘connoissance.’
