philharmonic
[fil-hahr-mon-ik, fil-er-]
- fond of or devoted to music; music-loving: used especially in the name of certain musical societies that sponsor symphony orchestras (Philharmonic Societies) and hence applied to their concerts (philharmonic concerts).
- of, noting, or presented by a symphony orchestra or the society sponsoring it.
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- a symphony orchestra or the society sponsoring it.
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Origin of philharmonic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for philharmonic
Contemporary Examples
Credit Suisse has been the exclusive Global Sponsor of the New York Philharmonic since 2007.
Philharmonic President and Executive Director Zarin Mehta has high hopes for the 2010–11 season as well.
The New York Philharmonic and Credit Suisse Kick Off the 2010-11 Season with a Free Dress RehearsalDaily Beast Promotions
September 22, 2010
On Monday morning, the Philharmonic announced that financier Henry R. Kravis will donate that impressive sum to the symphony.
Do not buy the big, pre-assembled block of knives with more pieces than the London Philharmonic.
Historical Examples
I don't mean this kind of a public, but before a Philharmonic audience!
MelomaniacsJames Huneker
One of the greatest gamblers at the Philharmonic is Don Vicente.
The Pearl of the Antilles, or An Artist in CubaWalter Goodman
In which case I would keep back my compositions from the Philharmonic.
Wagner as I Knew HimFerdinand Christian Wilhelm Praeger
They are still performed, 51 now and then, at the Philharmonic Concerts.
The ViolinGeorge Dubourg
The Philharmonic committee had no reason to regret their arrangements.
The Life of Johannes Brahms (Vol 1 of 2)Florence May
philharmonic
- fond of music
- (capital when part of a name) denoting an orchestra, choir, society, etc, devoted to the performance, appreciation, and study of music
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- (capital when part of a name) a specific philharmonic choir, orchestra, or society
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Word Origin
C18: from French philharmonique, from Italian filarmonico music-loving; see philo-, harmony
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
Word Origin and History for philharmonic
adj.
1813 (in the name of a society founded in London for the promotion of instrumental music), from French philharmonique (1739), from Italian filarmonico, literally "loving harmony," from Greek philos "loving" see philo-) + ta harmonika "theory of harmony, music," from neuter plural of harmonikos (see harmonic). The Society name was taken up in the names of many symphony orchestras.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper