from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Philology \Phi*lol"o*gy\ (f[i^]*l[o^]l"[-o]*j[y^]), n. [L.
philologia love of learning, interpretation, philology, Gr.
filologi`a: cf. F. philologie. See {Philologer}.]
1. Criticism; grammatical learning. [R.] --Johnson.
[1913 Webster]
2. The study of language, especially in a philosophical
manner and as a science; the investigation of the laws of
human speech, the relation of different tongues to one
another, and historical development of languages;
linguistic science.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Philology 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.
[1913 Webster]
3. A treatise on the science of language.
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