philately

[ fi-lat-l-ee ]

noun

the collecting of stamps and other postal matter as a hobby or an investment.
the study of postage stamps, revenue stamps, stamped envelopes, postmarks, postal cards, covers, and similar material relating to postal or fiscal history.

Origin of philately

First recorded in 1860–65; from French philatélie, from Greek phil- phil- + atéleia “freedom from charges” (taken to mean recipient's freedom from delivery charges by virtue of the stamp which sender affixed to the letter), literally, “want of taxation,” equivalent to a- a-⁶ + tél(os) “tax” + -eia -y³

Other words from philately

phil·a·tel·ic [fil-uh-tel-ik], /ˌfɪl əˈtɛl ɪk/, phil·a·tel·i·cal, adjective
phil·a·tel·i·cal·ly, adverb
phi·lat·e·list [fi-lat-l-ist], /fɪˈlæt l ɪst/, noun

Words Nearby philately

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use philately in a sentence

philately, fi-lat′e-li, n. the study and collection of postage and revenue stamps and labels (also Timbrophily, Timbrology).
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) | Various
Strictly speaking, the so-called "officially sealed stamps" are not stamps, as that term is technically employed in philately.
Canada: Its Postage Stamps and Postal Stationery | Clifton Armstrong Howes
Every new phase of recreation from playgrounds to philately presently has its countrywide association.
Society | Henry Kalloch Rowe
It is impossible to estimate the injury resulting to philately.
Harper's Young People, June 14, 1881 | Various
Like the lady said to the stamp collector, philately will get you everywhere.
Makers | Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for philately

philately

/ (fɪˈlætəlɪ) /

noun

the collection and study of postage stamps and all related material concerned with postal history

Origin of philately

C19: from French philatélie, from philo- + Greek ateleia exemption from charges (here referring to stamps), from a- 1 + telos tax, payment

Derived forms of philately

philatelic (ˌfɪləˈtɛlɪk), adjective
philatelically, adverb
philatelist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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