philology
the study of literary texts and of written records, the establishment of their authenticity and their original form, and the determination of their meaning.
(especially in older use) linguistics, especially historical and comparative linguistics.
Obsolete. the love of learning and literature.
Origin of philology
1Other words from philology
- phil·o·log·i·cal [fil-uh-loj-i-kuhl], /ˌfɪl əˈlɒdʒ ɪ kəl/, 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for philology
/ (fɪˈlɒlədʒɪ) /
comparative and historical linguistics
the scientific analysis of written records and literary texts
(no longer in scholarly use) the study of literature in general
Origin of philology
1Derived forms of philology
- philological (ˌfɪləˈlɒdʒɪkəl), adjective
- philologically, adverb
- philologist or rare philologer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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