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.
microzoophilous (adjective) (not comparable)
In biology, relating to vegetation being pollinated by small animals: Since male wasps fertilize orchids, they can be considered to be microzoophilous creatures!
The occurrence of pollination by small animals: Judy found out that microzoophily describes the fertilization of plants by small creatures, like butterflies, moths, flies, and beetles. Even small mammals, like bats and lemurs, are pollinators.
A collector of motor cars: Since Jack didn't have enough money to buy all the automobiles he liked and becoming a mobilophilist, he started buying little models or cars, photos, and pictures of his favourite motor vehicles!
monophilous (adjective) (not comparable)
In biology, concerning an organism that dwells and thrives in pastures: Monophilous animals that do well living in a pasture can be goats, horses, and domestic antelope and elk!
The condition of a life form that populates a pasture: When living on a farm, Janet learned more about monophily and how important it was to have good pasture land for the well-being and health of the domestic livestock.
One who loves glass vases: Mrs. Black had a great collection of ornamental glass vases for flowers, and she even joined a club with other murrhinophilists who had the same hobby!
One who declares a love of music: Mrs. Smith was a musicophile who played the piano, had a large selection of records and CDs, which she played ever day, and said that she just couldn't survive without music!
Someone who has a fondness for mice: When little Mary was in the garden, she like watching out for the mice that appeared once in a while, and she wanted to have one as a pet! Her mother thought that she must be a musophile !
An enthusiastic person who collects mushrooms for meals: Some mycophiles have a hobby of hunting for edible mushrooms in special locations in wild areas.
myiophilous (adjective) (not comparable)
In biology, a reference to plants that are fertilized via dipterous flies: Some myiophilous fruit fertilized by flies include pears, strawberries, and apricots.
An organism that lives in close association with a species of ants: It is interesting to know that aphids, as myrmecophils, have a symbiotic relationship with ants in that aphids produce honeydew from feeding on the sap of plants, and the ants love the honeydew as a source of food that is rich in sugar.
The condition of thriving with ants: Myrmecophily describes the close mutualism between of fungus-growing ants (of the tribe Attrini) ants and fungi in which the ants farm fungal mycelia in their nests.
mysophilic (adjective), more mysophilic, most mysophilic
A reference to a condition involving a pathological attraction to soiled or filthy material or people: A mysophilic dependency of the patient was discovered early in time so that the treatment involved could end successfully.
An organism that lives in brooks and streams: Some namatophiles include fish, clams, and mussels that are all aquatic forms of life.
namatophilous (adjective) (not comparablel)
In biology, relating to a form of life that dwells and thrives in streams: Jack found out that there were namatophilous organisms in the little brook close to his home, like salamanders, frogs, and the larvae of lots of insects.
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.
