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Webster 1913 Edition

Philosopher

Phi-los′o-pher

,
Noun.
[OE.
philosophre
, F.
philosophe
, L.
philosophus
, Gr.
φιλόσοφος
;
φίλοσ
loving +
σοφόσ
wise. Cf.
Philosophy
.]
1.
One who philosophizes; one versed in, or devoted to, philosophy.
Then certain
philosophers
of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him.
Acts xvii. 18.
2.
One who reduces the principles of philosophy to practice in the conduct of life; one who lives according to the rules of practical wisdom; one who meets or regards all vicissitudes with calmness.
3.
An alchemist.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Philosopher’s stone
,
an imaginary stone which the alchemists formerly sought as the instrument of converting the baser metals into gold.

Webster 1828 Edition

Philosopher

PHILOS'OPHER

,
Noun.
[See Philosophy.] A person versed in philosophy, or in the principles of nature and morality; one who devotes of nature and morality; one who devotes himself to the study of physics, or of moral or intellectual science.
1.
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.

Definition 2024

philosopher

philosopher

English

Alternative forms

Noun

philosopher ‎(plural philosophers)

  1. (originally) A lover of wisdom.
  2. A student of philosophy.
  3. A scholar or expert engaged in or contributing to philosophical inquiry.
    • 2007, Harold Bloom, Bloom's Modern Critical Views: Stephen King
      Their playwrights knew better. Scandal, murder, hair-rending and railing against the gods sold tickets. King is not a philosopher. He knows how to sell tickets.
  4. (archaic) A person who applies the principles of philosophy to the conduct of their life.
    • 1611, Bible (KJV), Acts 17:18:
      Then certaine Philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoikes, encountred him
    • 1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
      This is not the sort of happiness which a man would in general wish to owe to his wife; but where other powers of entertainment are wanting, the true philosopher will derive benefit from such as are given.
  5. (archaic) A student, scholar, or expert in any branch of knowledge, especially those branches studied prior to being considered part of pure science.
  6. (obsolete) An alchemist.

Antonyms

Related terms

Translations

References

  1. ↑ Attributed dates to Roman antiquity: Cicero, Tusculan Disputations, 5.3.8-9 = Heraclides Ponticus fr. 88 Wehrli, Diogenes Laertius 1.12, 8.8, Iamblichus VP 58.
  2. ↑ This view has been challenged by Walter Burkert, but it has been defended by C.J. De Vogel, Pythagoras and Early Pythagoreanism (1966), pp. 97–102, and C. Riedweg, Pythagoras: His Life, Teaching, And Influence (2005), p. 92.

French

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /fi.lɔ.zɔ.fe/

Verb

philosopher

  1. to philosophize

Conjugation

Latin

Verb

philosopher

  1. first-person singular present active subjunctive of philosophor

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman or Middle French philosophe, from Latin philosophus, from Ancient Greek φιλόσοφος ‎(philósophos, literally “lover of wisdom”) + -er.

Credited as having been coined by Pythagoras to describe himself.[1][2]

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /fɪˈlɒs.ə.fə(ɹ)/
  • (US) IPA(key): /fəˈlɑsəfər/

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