Dilettantism

dil;et;tante pronunciation: function: noun inflected form(s): plural dil;et;tantes or dil;et;tan;ti etymology: italian, from present participle of dilettare to delight, from latin dilectare — more at delightdate: 1748 1 : an admirer or lover of the arts2 : a person having a superficial interest in an art or a branch of knowledge : dabblersynonyms see amateur— dilettante adjective — dil;et;tant;ish adjective — dil;et;tan;tism noun