philhellene

[ fil-hel-een ]

noun

1. a friend or supporter of the Greeks.

philhellene

/ ˌfɪlhɛˈliːnɪk; fɪlˈhɛliːn; fɪlˈhɛlɪˌnɪzəm; fɪlˈhɛlɪnɪst /

noun

1. a lover of Greece and Greek culture
2. European history a supporter of the cause of Greek national independence

Derived Forms

• philhellenism, noun
• philhellenic, adjective

Other Words From

• phil·hel·len·ic [fil-he-, len, -ik, -, lee, -nik], adjective
• phil·hel·len·ism [fil-, hel, -, uh, -niz-, uh, m], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of philhellene¹

First recorded in 1815–25, philhellene is from the Greek word philéllēn Greek-loving. See phil-, Hellene

Example Sentences

This account of modern Athenian history features maps, engravings, photographs and popular posters, made by both local artists and visiting philhellenes, mostly presented as a succession of “on this day” anniversaries.

From New York Times

It is true that Greece and the United States have always been on the same side, since the time when American philhellenes came to fight with us in our liberation war of 1821.

From Washington Times

Hadrian, as depicted here, is a lonely and sensual philhellene; an introvert and philosopher who, for the sake of Rome, had to be a public man.

From The Guardian

For philhellenes, its resurrection represented the noblest of causes.

From New York Times

Mr. King was then in Greece as a philhellene, in charge of supplies sent by ladies in New York to be distributed among the impoverished people.

From Project Gutenberg