Sciolist

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈsaɪəlɪst/

Origin

From Late Latin sciolus, diminutive of Latin scius ("knowing"), from sciō ("I know"). It first appears in English at the beginning of the 17th century.

Full definition of sciolist

Noun

1. One who exhibits only superficial knowledge; a self-proclaimed expert with little real understanding.
• 2003, Roy Porter, Flesh in the Age of Reason (Penguin), p. 290:Walter is ... a dupe to the half-baked speculations of every sciolist from Descartes down to ‘Coglionissimo Borri’, and a pack of other dunces.

Synonyms

• factotum, handyman, jack of all trades

Anagrams

• solicits