philosopher
- a person who offers views or theories on profound questions in ethics, metaphysics, logic, and other related fields.
- a person who is deeply versed in philosophy.
- a person who establishes the central ideas of some movement, cult, etc.
- a person who regulates his or her life, actions, judgments, utterances, etc., by the light of philosophy or reason.
- a person who is rationally or sensibly calm, especially under trying circumstances.
- Obsolete. an alchemist or occult scientist.
Origin of philosopher
Examples from the Web for philosopher
Contemporary Examples
“He was specifically interested in finding a philosopher to lead the project,” Sanger recalled.
The Greek philosopher did ethics and tragedy, sure—but he also invented science as we know it.
The philosopher once complained about young men whose desire for learning resembled their desire for a sun tan.
The philosopher, Plato, linked Santorini with the mythical lost city of Atlantis that sank beneath the waves.
The Turing test is named for computer scientist, mathematician, logician, and philosopher Alan Turing.
Historical Examples
The company smiled, and the philosopher answered, "I am Plato."
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
"I never saw a philosopher that dressed so well as Plato," said Eudora.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
"I mean the philosopher, who teaches in the groves of Academus," continued he.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
The philosopher was too deeply impressed to return to the festivities of Olympia.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
We talked of progress; but progress, like the philosopher's stone, could not be easily attained.
Explorations in AustraliaJohn Forrest
philosopher
- a student, teacher, or devotee of philosophy
- a person of philosophical temperament, esp one who is patient, wise, and stoical
- (formerly) an alchemist or devotee of occult science
- a person who establishes the ideology of a cult or movementthe philosopher of the revolution
Word Origin and History for philosopher
n.
from Old English philosophe, from Latin philosophus "philosopher," from Greek philosophos "philosopher, sage, one who speculates on the nature of things and truth," literally "lover of wisdom," from philos "loving" (see -phile) + sophos "wise, a sage" (see sophist). Modern form with -r appears early 14c., from an Anglo-French or Old French variant of philosophe, with an agent-noun ending.
Pythagoras was the first who called himself philosophos, instead of sophos, 'wise man,' since this latter term was suggestive of immodesty. [Klein]
Philosophy also was used of alchemy in Middle Ages, hence Philosophers' stone (late 14c., translating Medieval Latin lapis philosophorum, early 12c.), a reputed solid substance supposed by alchemists to change baser metals into gold or silver; also identified with the elixir and thus given the attribute of prolonging life indefinitely and curing wounds and disease. (French pierre philosophale, German der Stein der Weisen).
philosopher
Someone who engages in philosophy. Some examples of philosophers are Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, and Plato.