philology

American  

[fi-lol-uh-jee] / fɪˈlɒl ə dʒi /

noun

1. the study of literary texts and of written records, the establishment of their authenticity and their original form, and the determination of their meaning.

2. (especially in older use) linguistics, especially historical and comparative linguistics.

3. Obsolete. the love of learning and literature.

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philology British  

/ ˌfɪləˈlɒdʒɪkəl, fɪˈlɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. comparative and historical linguistics

2. the scientific analysis of written records and literary texts

3. (no longer in scholarly use) the study of literature in general

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Other Word Forms

• nonphilologic adjective
• nonphilological adjective
• philologer noun
• philologic adjective
• philological adjective
• philologically adverb
• philologist noun
• unphilologic adjective
• unphilological adjective

Etymology

Origin of philology

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English philologie, Latin philologia, from Greek philología “love of learning and literature,” equivalent to philólog(os) “literary, studious, argumentative” + -ia -y ³; philo-, -logy

Example Sentences

Halyna graduated from Kharkiv National University with a degree in philology, Ukrainian language and literature.

From New York Times

He also received a master’s degree in classical philology from Harvard.

From New York Times

First and foremost, one needs a love of the English language, especially philology – that's the historical development of language – and etymology – the study of word origins and roots.

From Salon

They are very well educated, with degrees among them in history, philology, mathematics and biophysics.

From New York Times

The new interpretation is based on a collaborative approach between researchers from several disciplines, including philology, archaeology and the history of religion.

From The Guardian