philology
UK/fi'lɒlәdʒi/US
TOEFLGREC2
Definitions
n.
The study of language in historical texts and its development over time
语文学，文献学
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedphilo (love) + -logy (word, study) = 'love of words/learning.' Here logos keeps its older 'word/text' sense rather than just 'science of,' so philology is the deep historical study of words and texts — same philo- as in philosophy.
Root phil still carries 11 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.classical philology古典语文学
- 2.comparative philology比较语文学
Example Sentences
- 1.
Tolkien's love of philology shaped the languages in his novels.
- 2.
Comparative philology traces how related languages drifted apart.