Word of the Day

Friday, June 30, 2006

aficionado

\uh-fish-ee-uh-NAH-doh\ , noun;

An enthusiastic admirer; a fan.

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Quotes:

An aficionado of Chinese food, Diffie was also known for carrying around a pair of elegant chopsticks, much the way a serious billiard player totes his favorite cue.

-- Steven Levy, Crypto

Aficionados of spy fiction may find the plot by itself enough to keep them reading -- the book is certainly never boring.

-- Erik Tarloff, "Hanky Versus Panky", New York Times, July 16, 2000

For one thing, they listened to classical records together; Sagan was a real aficionado of the musical masters.

-- Keay Davidson, Carl Sagan: A Life

Origin:

Aficionado derives from Spanish aficionar, "to induce a liking for," from afición, "a liking for."