2. (pl. Ignoramuses (.)
Defn: A stupid, ignorant person; a vain pretender to knowledge; a
dunce.
An ignoramus in place and power. South.
IGNORANCE
Ig"no*rance, n. Etym: [F., fr. L. ignorantia.]
1. The condition of being ignorant; the want of knowledge in general, or in relation to a particular subject; the state of being uneducated or uninformed. Ignorance is the curse of God, Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven. Shak.
2. (Theol.)
Defn: A willful neglect or refusal to acquire knowledge which one may acquire and it is his duty to have. Book of Common Prayer. Invincible ignorance (Theol.), ignorance beyond the individual's control and for which, therefore, he is not responsible before God.
IGNORANT Ig"no*rant, a. Etym: [F., fr. L. ignorans, -antis, p.pr. of ignorare to be ignorant. See Ignore.]
1. Destitute of knowledge; uninstructed or uninformed; untaught; unenlightened. He that doth not know those things which are of use for him to know, is but an ignorant man, whatever he may know besides. Tillotson.
2. Unacquainted with; unconscious or unaware; — used with of. Ignorant of guilt, I fear not shame. Dryden.
3. Unknown; undiscovered. [Obs.] Ignorant concealment. Shak. Alas, what ignorant sin have I committed Shak.