Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PHE'NIX, n. [Gr. φοινιξ; L. phœnix, the palm or date tree, and a fowl.]

1. The fabulous fowl which is said to exist single, and to rise again from its own ashes. – Locke.
2. A person of singular distinction.

PHEN-O-GAM'I-AN, or PHEN-O-GAM'IC, a. [or PHE-NOG'A-MOUS. Gr. φαινω and γαμος.]

In botany, having stamens and pistils distinctly visible.

PHE-NOM-E-NOL'O-GY, n. [phenomenon and Gr. λογος, a discourse.]

A description or history of phenomena. – Encyc.

PHE-NOM'E-NON, n. [plur. Phenomena. Gr. φαινομενον, from φαινομαι, to appear.]

In a general sense, an appearance; any thing visible; whatever is presented to the eye by observation or experiment, or whatever is discovered to exist; as, the phenomena of the natural world; the phenomena of heavenly bodies, or of terrestrial substances; the phenomena of heat or of color. It sometimes denotes a remarkable or unusual appearance.

PHE-NOM'I-NAL, a.

Pertaining to a phenomenon, or appearance. – Bib. Rep.

PHE'ON, n.

In heraldry, the barbed iron head of a dart.

PHI'AL, n. [L. phiala; Gr. φιαλη; Pers. pialah; It. fiale; Fr. fiole.]

1. A glass vessel or bottle; in common usage, a small glass vessel used for holding liquors, and particularly liquid medicines. It is often written and pronounced vial.
2. A large vessel or bottle made of glass; as the Leyden phial which is a glass vessel partly coated with tinfoil, to be used in electrical experiments.

PHI'AL, v.t.

To put or keep in a phial. – Shenstone.

PHIL-A-DELPH'I-AN, a. [Gr. φιλος and αδελφος.]

Pertaining to Philadelphia, or to Ptolemy Philadelphus.

PHIL-A-DELPH'I-AN, n.

One of the family of love. – Tatler.

PHIL-AN-THROP'IC, or PHIL-AN-THROP'IC-AL, a. [See Philanthropy.]

1. Possessing general benevolence; entertaining good will toward all men; loving mankind.
2. Directed to the general good.

PHI-LAN'THRO-PIST, n.

A person of general benevolence; one who loves or wishes well to his fellow men, and who exerts himself in doing them good.

PHI-LAN'THRO-PY, n. [Gr. φιλεω, to love, or φιλος, a friend, and ανθρωπος, man.]

The love of mankind; benevolence toward the whole human family; universal good will. It differs from friendship, as the latter is an affection for individuals. – Encyc. Addison.

PHIL-HEL'LEN-IST, n. [Gr. φιλος and Ελλενις.]

A friend of Greece; one who supports the cause and interests of the Greeks; particularly one who supported them in their late struggle with the Turks.

PHIL'I-BEG, n.

A plaid or garment reaching only to the knees. – Scotch.

PHIL-IP'PIC, n.

An oration of Demosthenes, the Grecian orator, against Philip king of Macedon, in which the orator inveighs against the indolence of the Athenians. Hence the word is used to denote any discourse or declamation full of acrimonious invective. The fourteen orations of Cicero against Mark Anthony are also called Philippics.

PHIL'IP-PIZE, v.i.

1. To write or utter invective; to declaim against. [Unusual.] – Burke.
2. To side with Philip; to support or advocate Philip. – Swift.

PHIL'IS-TINE, n.

An inhabitant of Palestine, now Syria.

PHIL'IS-TIN-ISM, n.

Manners of the Philistines. – Carlisle.

PHIL-LYR'E-A, n.

A genus of plants, Mock-privet. – Encyc.

PHI-LOL'O-GER, or PHI-LOL'O-GIST, n.

One versed in the history and construction of language. Philologist is generally used.

PHI-LO-LOG'IC, or PHI-LO-LOG'IC-AL, a. [See PHILOLOGY.]

Pertaining to philology, or to the study and knowledge of language. – Watts.

PHI-LO-LOG'IC-AL-LY, adv.

In a philological manner.

PHI-LOL'O-GIZE, v.i.

To offer criticisms. [Little used.] – Evelyn.

PHI-LOL'O-GY, n. [Gr. φιλολογια; φιλεω, to love, and λογος, a word.]

1. Primarily, a love of words, or a desire to know the origin and construction of language. In a more general sense,
2. That branch of literature which comprehends a knowledge of the etymology or origin and combination of words; grammar, the construction of sentences or use of words in language; criticism, the interpretation of authors, the affinities of different languages, and whatever relates to the history or present state of languages. It sometimes includes rhetoric, poetry, history and antiquities.