philology

[ fi-lol-uh-jee ]

noun

1. the study of literary texts and of written records, the establishment of their authenticity and their original form, and the determination of their meaning.
2. (especially in older use) linguistics, especially historical and comparative linguistics.
3. Obsolete. the love of learning and literature.

philology

/ ˌfɪləˈlɒdʒɪkəl; fɪˈlɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. comparative and historical linguistics
2. the scientific analysis of written records and literary texts
3. (no longer in scholarly use) the study of literature in general

Derived Forms

• ˌphiloˈlogically, adverb
• phiˈlologist, noun
• philological, adjective

Other Words From

• phil·o·log·i·cal [fil-, uh, -, loj, -i-k, uh, l], phil·o·log·ic adjective
• phil·o·log·i·cal·ly adverb
• phi·lol·o·gist phi·lol·o·ger noun
• non·phil·o·log·ic adjective
• non·phil·o·log·i·cal adjective
• un·phil·o·log·ic adjective
• un·phil·o·log·i·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of philology¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English philologie, Latin philologia, from Greek philología “love of learning and literature,” equivalent to philólog(os) “literary, studious, argumentative” + -ia -y ³; philo-, -logy

Word History and Origins

Origin of philology¹

C17: from Latin philologia, from Greek: love of language

Example Sentences

Similar to Putin’s authoritarian regime, Kirill built a harsh hierarchy in the church that demands total conformity, Andrey Desnitsky, professor of philology at Vilnius University in Lithuania, told The Associated Press.

From Seattle Times

Halyna graduated from Kharkiv National University with a degree in philology, Ukrainian language and literature.

From New York Times

He also received a master’s degree in classical philology from Harvard.

From New York Times

First and foremost, one needs a love of the English language, especially philology – that's the historical development of language – and etymology – the study of word origins and roots.

From Salon

They are very well educated, with degrees among them in history, philology, mathematics and biophysics.

From New York Times