philhellene

American  

[fil-hel-een] / fɪlˈhɛl in /

Also philhellenist

noun

1. a friend or supporter of the Greeks.

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philhellene British  

/ ˌfɪlhɛˈliːnɪk, fɪlˈhɛliːn, fɪlˈhɛlɪˌnɪzəm, fɪlˈhɛlɪnɪst /

noun

1. a lover of Greece and Greek culture

2. European history a supporter of the cause of Greek national independence

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Other Word Forms

• philhellenic adjective
• philhellenism noun

Etymology

Origin of philhellene

First recorded in 1815–25, philhellene is from the Greek word philéllēn Greek-loving. See phil-, Hellene

Example Sentences

Mr. King was then in Greece as a philhellene, in charge of supplies sent by ladies in New York to be distributed among the impoverished people.

From History Of The Missions Of The American Board Of Commissioners For Foreign Missions To The Oriental Churches, Volume I. by Anderson, Rufus

Just outside its walls lies the "Heroes' Garden" or "Hero�n," where under the shadows of eucalyptus and cypress trees, Marcos Bozzaris, Mavromichalis, the philhellene General Coreman, and Lord Byron's heart are buried.

From Life Immovable First Part by Phoutrides, Aristides E. (Aristides Evangelus)