sciolist Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
dabbler; dilettante.

L. sciolus. See Sciolous.

One who knows many things superficially; a pretender to science; a smatterer.
These passages in that book were enough to humble the presumption of our modern sciolists, if their pride were not as great as their ignorance. Sir W. Temple.

A master were lauded and scolists shent. R. Browning.