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Ego Dialogues

July 22nd 2007.: Ego Dialogues > Words & Language > Dilettante

Dilettante


dilettante
1. A dabbler in an art or a field of knowledge.
2. A lover of the fine arts; a connoisseur.

So.. I was wondering how a word came to have two such seemingly opposite meanings.

Origin:
1733, borrowing of Italian dilettante "lover of music or painting," from dilettare "to delight," from L. delectare. Originally without negative connotation, "devoted amateur," the pejorative sense emerged late 18th century by contrast with professional.
Why it emerged though I don't know.


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