by Dwane | May 16, 2015 | Education, Greek, Italian, Latin, Vocabulary
Cognoscente: Someone possessing superior knowledge in a particular field, usually the arts; a connoisseur, an aficionado, a discerning expert. I get the feeling a “cognoscente” is likely a member of the Illuminati of the art world. Or, based on modern art purchases,...
by Dwane | May 15, 2015 | English, Latin, Vocabulary
Reconnoiter: to view; to survey; to inspect. Particularly in military affairs, to reconnoiter is to examine the state of an enemy’s army or camp. To survey the bad guys for military purposes. Reconnoiter comes from the French reconnaître, which comes from Latin...
by Dwane | May 14, 2015 | English, Greek, Latin
Connoisseur: A person well versed in any subject; a skillful or knowing person; a critical judge or master of any art, particularly of painting and sculpture. From French connaisseur. The French word derives from the verb connoître (acquainted, to know). Father of...
by Dwane | May 13, 2015 | English, Greek, Latin, Vocabulary
Cognizance: having knowledge of something. When you possess cognizance, you possess knowledge. As G. I. Joe says, “Cognizance is half the battle.” Or, something like that. Cognizance can also mean perception, awareness, the ability to notice things. Cognizance...
by Dwane | May 11, 2015 | Education, English, Greek, Latin, Vocabulary
I’ve been silent for a few days. Have not posted the word of the day. There is a reason. It’s a good one. I’ve been hiding out. I was nervous. My anatidaephobia had flared up again. Anatidaephobia derives from the Latin word for duck, anas and the...
