philosophical

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˌfɪl.əˈsɒf.ɪ.kl̩/ (UK); /ˌfɪl.əˈsɑ.fɪ.kl̩/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from philosophy and -ical,^[2] or from Latin philosophicus and -al.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of persons, learned, skilled in or devoted to philosophy: about 1374 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^[4][2]

Semantic evolution

Relating to the study of natural philosophy, or science, is from 1471.^[4] Relating to philosophy or philosophers in general is from 1500–20 in the OED, about 1500 in Etymonline.^[4][2] Calm and wise, showing practical philosophy, is from 1638.^[4] Philosophical logic is from 1822,^[4] and philosophicals, the subjects of a philosophy course, from 1691.^[4]

Timeline

• c. 1374 – skilled in philosophy.^[4]
• 1471 – relating to natural philosophy.^[4]
• c. 1500 – relating to philosophy.^[2]
• 1638 – calm, wise.^[4]
• 1691 – philosophicals (noun).^[4]

Modern meaning

Adjective

1. Relating to or based on philosophy or philosophers.
2. Calm and stoical, especially in the face of difficulty, as a philosopher is thought to be.
3. Reasonable, wise or learned.
4. (formerly) Relating to science or natural philosophy.

Word family

• philosophically
• philosophicalness
• antiphilosophical
• nonphilosophical
• pseudophilosophical
• semiphilosophical
• unphilosophical

Related words

• philosophy
• philosopher
• philosophic

Usage notes

Philosophic is a variant form with the same meanings.^[5]

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins