philo-, phil-, -phile, -philia, -philic, -philous, -phily, -philiac, -philist, -philism
(Greek: love, loving, friendly to, fondness for, attraction to; strong tendency toward, affinity for)
These are just a few of the meanings set up for the etymological meanings of philo- which comes to us from Greek.
In biology, there are many words that use philo-, phil- to mean "thriving in such and such a place or situation; or exhibiting a tendency for a specified condition" for its existence.
Other meanings include: "strongly attracted to; such as, an organism that loves or is strongly attracted to something which is specified".
In psychology and psychiatry, -phile, -philia, etc. use this element as a word termination indicating an abnormal craving or attraction to or an affinity for an object as shown by the word stems to which they are affixed.
lyophilic (adjective), more lyophilic, most lyophilic
Regarding an affinity between a colloid matter and the mixture being dispersed in a colloidal system; lyophile: In his chemistry class, Troy was paying close attention when the teacher was explaining the lyophilic process between the particles and the liquid in which they were being circulated.
An organism that thrives in warm habitats or in the tropics: Some macrothermophiles include the starch plants, like rice and yams, that flourish in warm regions.
macrothermophilous (adjective), more macrothermophilous, most macrothermophilous
Descriptive of a life form that dwells in the tropics or in warm areas: Jack learned that some macrothermophilous plants, like the bread-fruit trees and sweet potatoes, prefer their development in warm and moist habitats.
The situation of growth in an environment of warmth: Susan found out that macrothermophily involved the development of such tropical fruits, like the banana, pineapple, coconut, and the guavava.
malacophilous (adjective) (not comparable)
Referring to a plant that is pollinated by snails: A malacophilous plant that is fertilized by snails is called the Roundleaf Ringweed (Volvulopsis nummularium) that belongs to the family of the morning glory.
In botany, the process of a plant being pollinated by snails: When watching the TV documentary, Jill learned that wild ginger and trillium flowers are fertilized by slugs and snails, which is called malacophily. While the usual pollinators, like bees and insects, are slow and passive during rainy days, the snails and slugs are most active!
One who collects almanacs: Mr. Smith, a manakophilist, loved his old yearbooks and spent lots of time going through all the photos and information about his old school and town.
One who collects marbles: Ever since Joe was a little boy, Joe loved marbles and had a whole drawer in his cabinet full of them. Once ever month he got together with other marmorophilists to compare them and trade.
maschalophilous (adjective) (not comparable)
Relating to sexual arousal by way of someone's armpits: In one of her psychology courses, Mary learned about a maschalophilous kind of intimate stimulation, which was something she could hardly believe!
A child who has more affection, or love, for the mother than for the father: Sally's parents thought that their daughter was a matrophile who always went to her mom when she hurt herself, when she had a nightmare, or when she was hungry.
Someone who is sexually stimulattaed or excited by female breasts: Sandra read in a book that a person who was a mazophile was overly enticed by a woman's breasts.
mazophilous (adjective), more mazophilous, most mazophilous
Pertaining to or referring to mammary mania or an excessive interest in breasts: Janet didn't wan t anything to do with Sam who evidently was a mazophilous person who always goggled at her breasts.
An organism that thrives in or on black loam: Some melangeophiles can be wheat, sugarcane, and cotton that all prosper well in soil rich in sand and organic matter.
melangeophilous (adjective), more melangeophilous, most melangeophilous
Pertaining to the existence of organisms that thrive in or on black loam: Melangeophilous vegetables can grow very well in loamy soil, like tomatoes, green beans, and cucumbers.
The preference of organisms to thrive in or on black loam: When planning her garden, June read about melangeophily as being very important for the successful production of the vegetables that she wanted to grow.
You may take a self-scoring quiz over some of the words in this section by just clicking this Philo Quiz #1 link.Related "love, fondness" units: agape-; amat-; vener-; venus.
