-philia

1. a combining form used in the formation of compound words that have the general sense “love or liking” ( ailurophilia, Anglophilia ), “unnatural attraction” ( coprophilia, necrophilia ), “tendency” ( biophilia, hemophilia, ) in histology, “cell staining with a specific dye” ( chromophilia, eosinophilia ); also forming abstract nouns that correspond to adjectives ending in -philic or -philous or nouns ending in -phile ( zoophilia, spasmophilia ).

-philia

combining form

1. indicating a tendency towards

   haemophilia

2. indicating an abnormal liking for

   necrophilia

Derived Forms

• -philiac, combining_form:in_noun:countable

Word History and Origins

Origin of -philia¹

From Greek philía “friendship, affinity”; -phile, -ia; -phily ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of -philia¹

from Greek philos loving

Example Sentences

Two female figures, Philia and Metrodora, stand clasping hands.

From Project Gutenberg