{ Phil`o*log"ic*al (?), Phil`o*log"ic (?), } a. [Cf. F. philologique.]
Of or pertaining to philology. -- Phil`o*log"ic*al*ly, adv.
Phi*lol"o*gist (?), n. One versed in philology.
Phi*lol"o*gize (?), v. i. To study, or make critical comments on,
language. Evelyn.
Phil"o*logue (?), n. [Cf. F. philologue.] A philologist. [R.] Carlyle.
Phi*lol"o*gy (?), n. [L. philologia love of learning, interpretation,
philology, Gr. &?;: cf. F. philologie. See Philologer.] 1. Criticism;
grammatical learning. [R.] Johnson.
2. 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.