Difference between revisions of "Amateur"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
French ''amateur''- [[Latin]] ''amātōr''-''em'' , n. of [[agent]] ''amā-re'' to [[love]]. | French ''amateur''- [[Latin]] ''amātōr''-''em'' , n. of [[agent]] ''amā-re'' to [[love]]. | ||
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1777 18th_century] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1: devotee, admirer | *1: devotee, admirer | ||
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*3: one lacking in [[experience]] and competence in an [[art]] or [[science]] | *3: one lacking in [[experience]] and competence in an [[art]] or [[science]] | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | An '''amateur''' (French ''amateur'' "lover of", from Old French and ultimately from [[Latin]] ''amatorem nom''. ''amator'', "lover") is generally [[considered]] a person attached to a particular pursuit, [[study]], or [[science]], without pay and often without [[formal]] [[training]]. Amateurism can be seen in both a [[negative]] and [[positive]] light. Since amateurs often do not have [[formal]] [[training]], some amateur work may be sub-par. For example, [ | + | An '''amateur''' (French ''amateur'' "lover of", from Old French and ultimately from [[Latin]] ''amatorem nom''. ''amator'', "lover") is generally [[considered]] a person attached to a particular pursuit, [[study]], or [[science]], without pay and often without [[formal]] [[training]]. Amateurism can be seen in both a [[negative]] and [[positive]] light. Since amateurs often do not have [[formal]] [[training]], some amateur work may be sub-par. For example, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_sports amateur athletes] in sports such as basketball, baseball or football are regarded as having a lower level of [[ability]] than [[professional]] [[athletes]]. On the other hand, an amateur may be in a position to approach a subject with an open [[mind]] (as a result of the lack of [[formal]] [[training]]) and in a financially disinterested [[manner]]. An amateur who dabbles in a field out of [[casual]] interest rather than as a [[profession]] or serious interest, or who [[possesses]] a general but [[superficial]] interest in any art or a branch of [[knowledge]], is often referred to as a dilettante. |
| − | The lack of financial benefit can also be seen as a sign of [[commitment]] to an [[activity]]; and until the [ | + | The lack of financial benefit can also be seen as a sign of [[commitment]] to an [[activity]]; and until the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970's 1970s] the Olympic rules required that competitors be amateurs. Receiving payment to [[participate]] in an [[event]] disqualified an [[athlete]] from that event, as in the case of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Thorpe Jim Thorpe]. In the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympics Olympics], this rule remains in place for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing boxing]. |
| − | Many amateurs make valuable contributions in the field of [ | + | Many amateurs make valuable contributions in the field of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_programming computer programming] through the [[open source]] movement. Amateur dramatics is the [[performance]] of [[plays]] or musical theater, often to high [[standards]], but lacking the budgets of [[professional]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_End_theatre West End] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadway_theatre Broadway] performances. [[Astronomy]], [[history]], [[linguistics]], and the [[natural sciences]] are among the myriad fields that have benefited from the [[activities]] of amateurs. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin Charles Darwin] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregor_Mendel Gregor Mendel] were amateur scientists who never held a position in their field of study. |
[[Category: General Reference]] | [[Category: General Reference]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:45, 12 December 2020
Origin
French amateur- Latin amātōr-em , n. of agent amā-re to love.
Definitions
- 1: devotee, admirer
- 2: one who engages in a pursuit, study, science, or sport as a pastime rather than as a profession
- 3: one lacking in experience and competence in an art or science
Description
An amateur (French amateur "lover of", from Old French and ultimately from Latin amatorem nom. amator, "lover") is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training. Amateurism can be seen in both a negative and positive light. Since amateurs often do not have formal training, some amateur work may be sub-par. For example, amateur athletes in sports such as basketball, baseball or football are regarded as having a lower level of ability than professional athletes. On the other hand, an amateur may be in a position to approach a subject with an open mind (as a result of the lack of formal training) and in a financially disinterested manner. An amateur who dabbles in a field out of casual interest rather than as a profession or serious interest, or who possesses a general but superficial interest in any art or a branch of knowledge, is often referred to as a dilettante.
The lack of financial benefit can also be seen as a sign of commitment to an activity; and until the 1970s the Olympic rules required that competitors be amateurs. Receiving payment to participate in an event disqualified an athlete from that event, as in the case of Jim Thorpe. In the Olympics, this rule remains in place for boxing.
Many amateurs make valuable contributions in the field of computer programming through the open source movement. Amateur dramatics is the performance of plays or musical theater, often to high standards, but lacking the budgets of professional West End or Broadway performances. Astronomy, history, linguistics, and the natural sciences are among the myriad fields that have benefited from the activities of amateurs. Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendel were amateur scientists who never held a position in their field of study.
