Philosopher Meaning
/fɪˈlɒs.ə.fə(ɹ)/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA lover of wisdom.
nounA student of philosophy.
Sentence Examples
You're a philosopher, aren't you?
Russell was a brilliant philosopher, but even the simplest practical task was quite beyond him.
We studied the writings of the Greek philosopher Aristotle.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ancient Greek ____ spent his days thinking about the nature of reality and ethics.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ancient Greek ____ argued that the unexamined life is not worth living.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English philosophre, from Anglo-Norman or Middle French philosophe, from Latin philosophus, from Ancient Greek φιλόσοφος (philósophos, literally “lover of wisdom”) + -er. Credited as having been coined by Pythagoras to describe himself. Displaced native Old English ūþwita.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Not much later—perhaps only two or three weeks later he has discovered meaning in them; he knows that they say "The cat sat on the hat." How this happens no one really knows, despite the efforts of philosophers and psychologists over two and a half millennia to study the phenomenon."
— 1972, Mortimer J. Adler, Charles Van Doren, How to Read a Book, →ISBN, →LCCN, page 25:
"Their playwrights knew better. Scandal, murder, hair-rending and railing against the gods sold tickets. King is not a philosopher. He knows how to sell tickets."
— 2007, Harold Bloom, Bloom's Modern Critical Views: Stephen King:
"Then certaine Philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoikes, encountred him"
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 17:18:
"This is not the sort of happiness which a man would in general wish to owe to his wife; but where other powers of entertainment are wanting, the true philosopher will derive benefit from such as are given."
— 1813 January 27, [Jane Austen], Pride and Prejudice: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC:
"Then thus conclude I, since that God of heaven
Will not that these philosophers neven
How that a man shall come unto this stone,
I rede as for the best to let it gon."
— 1813, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Canterbury Tales: The Canon's Yeoman's Tale:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The ancient Greek ____ spent his days thinking about the nature of reality and ethics.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ancient Greek ____ argued that the unexamined life is not worth living.