philology

noun

phi·​lol·​o·​gy fə-ˈlä-lə-jē 

 also  fī-

1

: the study of literature and of disciplines relevant to literature or to language as used in literature

2

a

: linguistics

especially : historical and comparative linguistics

b

: the study of human speech especially as the vehicle of literature and as a field of study that sheds light on cultural history

philological

ˌfi-lə-ˈlä-ji-kəl 

adjective

philologically

ˌfi-lə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

philologist

fə-ˈlä-lə-jist 

 also  fī-

noun

Examples of philology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The images with the strongest connection related to the transport of jars and cloth, said study coauthor Kathryn Kelley, a research fellow in the department of classical philology and Italian studies at the University of Bologna. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 5 Nov. 2024

Kane’s compelling intellectual history of West Africa places Timbuktu within a much broader tradition of Islamic learning in the region, which was home to other medieval knowledge centers and which continues to advance the study of Arabic philology even today. —Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2016

The science of philology—how words can alter the meaning and motives of history—cried out for exposure of the unknown. —Cynthia Ozick, Harper’s Magazine , 10 Apr. 2023

She is also trained in philology and psychology. —Michela Moscufo, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2022

Word History

Etymology

French philologie, from Latin philologia love of learning and literature, from Greek, from philologos fond of learning and literature, from phil- + logos word, speech — more at legend

First Known Use

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

philology

noun

phi·​lol·​o·​gy fə-ˈläl-ə-jē 

: the study of language and especially of historical development in languages

philological

ˌfil-ə-ˈläj-i-kəl 

adjective

philologist

fə-ˈläl-ə-jəst 

noun