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.

philharmonia
philharmonic (adjective) (not comparable)
1. Conveying a devotion to or a special appreciation for music: Shirley possessed a philharmonic talent because she was able to distinguish and recognize the music of many composers and their masterpieces and she was also a talented piano player.
2. A description of an orchestra, choir, or society that promotes the study, performance, and appreciation of classical music: There were many people in Sharon's village who loved music so much that they founded a philharmonic club which invited small groups of musicians to come and to perform in their little church.

Every month David's family went to the city to enjoy the philharmonic ensembles, or chamber groups, that performed highly artistic music.

A love for musical harmony.
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philhellene
A love of Greece, the Greeks, or things related to Greece.
philhippic
A fondness for horses.
philiater
1. A term used for someone who is interested in the study of medicine; a medical student.
2. Having a special attraction to or fondness for the study of medicine.
phillumenist
One who collects matchbooks or matchboxes or the collection of matchbooks.
phillumeny
philobiblian (s) (noun), philobiblians (pl)
philobiblic (adjective), more philobiblic, most philobiblic
Descriptive of being fond of books or devoted to literature.
philobiblical (adjective), more philobiblical, most philobiblical
A reference to the devotion and the study of the Bible.
philobiblism (s) (noun) (usually no plural)
The collection of books done by devoted book collectors.
philobiblist (s) (noun), philobiblists (pl)
A lover of books.
philocalism
philocalist (s) (noun), philocalists (pl)
Anybody who loves beauty or is fond of beautiful things.
philocomal
A reference to the caring of hair.
Quiz button #1 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.