Appreciators

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who recognize and value the significance of various forms of expression or creation
2. People who show appreciation and support for the quality and impact of different artistic or intellectual endeavors
3. Those who acknowledge and admire the excellence or worth of something, especially in art or intellect

Etymology: "Appreciators" is the plural of "appreciator," a noun formed from the verb "appreciate" and the agent suffix "-or," which marks a person who performs an action. The source also points to a Latin model, "appreciātor," which was a term for an appraiser or valuer, someone who set a price on goods. English took the verb "appreciate" from Latin "appretiare," meaning to value or set a price, built from "ad" and "pretium" (price). So the word's core idea is putting a worth on something. The original sense was concrete and commercial. Over time "appreciate" drifted from fixing a monetary value toward recognizing a thing's merit, and from there to feeling gratitude or understanding. The noun "appreciator" follows that same path, so its meaning has moved from the market to the person who notices quality in art, music, or craft.

Synonyms: valuers, admirers, enthusiasts

Antonyms: detractors