| philology | 1. Criticism; grammatical learning. 2. <study> The study of language, especially in a philosophical manner and as a science; the investigation of the laws of human speech, the relation of different tongues to one another, and historical development of languages; linguistic science. Philology comprehends a knowledge of the etymology, or origin and combination of words; grammar, the construction of sentences, or use of words in language; criticism, the interpretation of authors, the affinities of different languages, and whatever relates to the history or present state of languages. It sometimes includes rhetoric, poetry, history, and antiquities. 3. A treatise on the science of language. Origin: L. Philologia love of learning, interpretation, philology, Gr., cf. F. Philologie. See Philologer. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| philology, classical | The study of ancient greek and roman literature, including grammar, etymology, criticism, literary history, and language and linguistic history. (12 Dec 1998) |
| philology, oriental | The study of literature written in languages of asia and the far east, including grammar, etymology, criticism, literary history, and language and linguistic history. (12 Dec 1998) |
| philology, romance | The study of literature written in the romance languages (french, spanish, italian, and others descended from latin), including grammar, etymology, criticism, literary history, and language and linguistic history. (12 Dec 1998) |