Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PHI'LO-MATH, n. [Gr. φιλομαθης; φιλος, a lover, and μανθανω, to learn.]

A lover of learning.

PHI-LO-MATH'IC, a.

1. Pertaining to the love of learning.
2. Having a love of letters. – Med. Repos.

PHIL'O-MATH-Y, n.

The love of learning.

PHI'LO-MEL, or PHI-LO-ME'LA, n. [from Philomela, daughter of Pandion, king of Athens, who was changed a nightingale.]

The nightingale. – Pope.

PHIL'O-MOT, a. [corrupted from Fr. feuille morte, a deaf leaf.]

Of the color of a dead leaf. – Addison.

PHIL-O-MU'SIC-AL, a.

Loving music. – Busby.

PHIL-O-PO-LEM'IC, a. [Gr. φιλος, a lover, and πολεμικος, warlike.]

Ruling over opposite or contending natures; an epithet of Minerva. – Pausanias, Trans.

PHI-LOS'O-PHAS-TER, n.

A pretender to philosophy.

PHI-LOS'O-PHATE, v.i. [L. philosophor, philosophatus.]

To play the philosopher; to moralize. [Not used.] – Barrow.

PHI-LOS-O-PHA'TION, n.

Philosophical discussion. [Not used.] – Petty.

PHI-LOS'O-PHEME, n. [Gr. φιλοσοφημα.]

Principle of reasoning; a theorem. [Little used.]

PHI-LOS'O-PHER, n. [See Philosophy.]

1. A person versed in philosophy, or in the principles of nature and morality; one who devotes himself to the study of physics, or moral or intellectual science.
2. In a general sense, one who is profoundly versed in any science. Philosopher's stone, a stone or preparation which the alchimists formerly sought, as the instrument of converting the baser metals into pure gold.

PHIL-O-SOPH'IC, or PHIL-O-SOPH'IC-AL, a.

1. Pertaining to philosophy; as, a philosophical experiment or problem.
2. Proceeding from philosophy; as, philosophic pride.
3. Suitable to philosophy; according to philosophy; philosophical reasoning or arguments.
4. Skilled in philosophy; as, a philosophical historian.
5. Given to philosophy; as, a philosophical mind.
6. Regulated by philosophy or the rules of reason; as, philosophic fare. – Dryden.
7. Calm; cool; temperate; rational; such as characterizes a philosopher.

PHIL-O-SOPH'IC-AL-LY, adv.

1. In a philosophical manner; according to the rules or principles of philosophy; as, to argue philosophically.
2. Calmly; wisely; rationally.

PHI-LOS'O-PHISM, n. [Gr. φιλος, a lover, and σοφισμα, sophism.]

1. The love of fallacious arguments or false reasoning.
2. The practice of sophistry. Ch. Obs.

PHI-LOS'O-PHIST, n.

A lover of sophistry; one who practices sophistry. – Porteus.

PHI-LOS-O-PHIS'TIC, or PHI-LOS-O-PHIS'TIC-AL, a.

Pertaining to the love or practice of sophistry.

PHI-LOS'O-PHIZE, v.i. [from philosophy.]

To reason like a philosopher; to search into the reason and nature of things; to investigate phenomena and assign rational causes for their existence. Sir Isaac Newton lays down four rules for philosophising. Two doctors of the schools were philosophizing on the advantages of mankind above all other creatures. – L'Estrange.

PHI-LOS'O-PHIZ-ER, n.

One who philosophizes.

PHI-LOS'O-PHIZ-ING, ppr.

Searching into the reasons of things; assigning reasons for phenomena.

PHI-LOS'O-PHY, n. [L. philosophia; Gr. φιλοσοφια; φιλια, love; φιλεω, to love, and σοφια, wisdom.]

1. Literally, the love of wisdom. But in modern acceptation, philosophy is a general term denoting an explanation of the reasons of things; or an investigation of the causes of all phenomena both of mind and of matter. When applied to any particular department of knowledge, it denotes the collection of general laws or principles under which all the subordinate phenomena or facts relating to that subject are comprehended. Thus, that branch of philosophy which treats of God, &c. is called theology; that which treats of nature is called physics or natural philosophy; that which treats of man is called logic and ethics, or moral philosophy; that which treats of the mind is called intellectual or mental philosophy, or metaphysics. The objects of philosophy are to ascertain facts or truth, and the causes of things or their phenomena; to enlarge our views of God and his works, and to render our knowledge of both practically useful and subservient to human happiness. True religion and true philosophy must ultimately arrive at the same principle. – S. S. Smith.
2. Hypothesis or system on which natural effects are explained. We shall in vain interpret their words by the notions of our philosophy and the doctrines in our schools. – Locke.
3. Reasoning; argumentation. – Milton.
4. Course of sciences read in the schools. – Johnson.

PHIL'TER, n. [Fr. philtre; L. philtra; Gr. φιλτρον, from φιλεω, to love, or φιλος.]

1. A potion intended or adapted to excite love. – Addison.
2. A charm to excite love.

PHIL'TER, v.t.

1. To impregnate with a love potion; as, to philter a draught.
2. To charm to love; to excite to love or animal desire by a potion.

PHIL'TER-ED, pp.

Impregnated with a love potion.

PHIZ, n. [supposed to be a contraction of physiognomy.]

The face or visage; in contempt. Stepney.