from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Dilettante \Dil`et*tan"te\, n.; pl. {Dilettanti}. [It., prop. p.
pr. of dillettare to take delight in, fr. L. delectare to
delight. See {Delight}, v. t.]
An admirer or lover of the fine arts; popularly, an amateur;
especially, one who follows an art or a branch of knowledge,
desultorily, or for amusement only.
[1913 Webster]
The true poet is not an eccentric creature, not a mere
artist living only for art, not a dreamer or a
dilettante, sipping the nectar of existence, while he
keeps aloof from its deeper interests. --J. C.
Shairp.
[1913 Webster]