(of a man) to make love with a woman one cannot or will not marry; carry on flirtations.
Origin: 1675–85; < Gk phílandros one who loves (of a woman, loving her husband); see philo-, andro-; later used in fiction as a proper name for a lover, and appar. mistaken as “a man who loves”
To carry on a sexual affair, especially an extramarital affair, with a woman one cannot or does not intend to marry. Used of a man.
To engage in many love affairs, especially with a frivolous or casual attitude. Used of a man.
[From philander, lover, from Philander, former literary name for a lover, from Greek philandros, loving or fond of men : phil-, philo-, philo- + anēr, andr-, man; see ner-2 in Indo-European roots.] phi·lan'der·er n.