philosopher

[fi-los-uh-fer]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR philosopher ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

Nearby words

Origin of philosopher

before 900; Middle English, variant of philosophre < Anglo-French (Middle French philosophe < Latin philosophus); replacing Old English philosoph < Latin philosophus < Greek philósophos philosopher, equivalent to philo- philo- + soph(ía) wisdom (see -sophy) + -os noun suffix

Related formsphi·los·o·pher·ship, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for philosopher

“He was specifically interested in finding a philosopher to lead the project,” Sanger recalled.
You Can Look It Up: The Wikipedia Story|Walter Isaacson|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Greek philosopher did ethics and tragedy, sure—but he also invented science as we know it.
Why Aristotle Deserves A Posthumous Nobel|Nick Romeo|October 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The philosopher once complained about young men whose desire for learning resembled their desire for a sun tan.
The Ivy League Provides the Best Trade Schools Around|Nick Romeo|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The philosopher, Plato, linked Santorini with the mythical lost city of Atlantis that sank beneath the waves.
Book a Room for Two in a Santorini Cave|Joanna Eede|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Turing test is named for computer scientist, mathematician, logician, and philosopher Alan Turing.
The AI That Wasn’t: Why ‘Eugene Goostman’ Didn’t Pass the Turing Test|Elizabeth Lopatto|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Had the busy 298manager followed or preceded the philosopher's footsteps, step by step, up through them all?
The Shakespearean Myth|Appleton Morgan
And what is there in common between a shield and a philosopher's staff?
The Deipnosophists, or Banquet of the Learned of Athenus|Athenus
Is it surprising that, philosopher as he was, he should have given way to grief and despondency.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume III|John Lord
Mr. Praisall, do you remember that old Whimsicall was all along a Philosopher?
The Female Wits|Anonymous
He went to Athens and became a philosopher of the Cynic school, which see, as a disciple of Antisthenes.
The Works of Lucian of Samosata, v. 4|Lucian of Samosata

British Dictionary definitions for philosopher

philosopher

noun

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

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 philosopher

philosopher

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).

Culture definitions for philosopher

philosopher

Someone who engages in philosophy. Some examples of philosophers are Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, and Plato.

philosopher

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of philosopher

Examples from the Web for philosopher

philosopher

noun

philosopher

philosopher