Monday, August 10, 2015

Vocabulary - Words Originating From 'Phil'

One way to improve vocabulary is through the Roots/Prefixes/Suffixes method that we have spoken of extensively in class. I want to use that method in this post. Let's start with 'Phil'

Phil means Love/Loving

A few words that originate from this root are:

Philately
Collecting of stamps and other postal matter as a hobby or an investment.
Study of postage stamps, revenue stamps, stamped envelopes, postmarks, postal cards, covers, and similar material relating to postal or fiscal history.
Etymology:
phil + atéleia: Atéleia means 'Freedom from charges' (taken to mean recipient's freedom from delivery charges by virtue of the stamp which sender affixed to the letter). If you are interested atéleia can be further traced to mean a: not and telos: toll/tax
The word was coined by French stamp collector Georges Herpin (1860–65)
He came up with a Greek word that he felt most closely resembled the use of a postage stamp – to indicate that the cost of carrying the letter had already been paid by the sender and therefore the recipient did not have to pay any tax. This was an important change as earlier it was the recipient who always paid for the post.

Philharmonic
Fond of or devoted to music; music-loving: used esp. in the name of certain musical societies that sponsor symphony orchestras (Philharmonic Societies) and hence applied to their concerts (philharmonic concerts).
Presented by a symphony orchestra or the society sponsoring it.
Etymology:
From the Greek Phil + harmonikós musical, suitable

Philoprogenitive
Producing offspring, esp. abundantly; prolific.
Pertaining to, or characterized by love for offspring, esp. one's own.
Etymology:
From the Greek Phil + Gen (birth, race, produce)

Philtre
A potion, charm, or drug supposed to cause the person taking it to fall in love, usually with some specific person.
A magic potion for any purpose
Etymology:
The Greek philtron which literally means "to make oneself beloved”, which in turn originates from the root word Phil.
Caution: I will not be held responsible for any outcome of you guys using/misusing the Philtre. I am merely a language teacher, not….…. ;-)

Philtrum
The vertical groove on the surface of the upper lip, below the septum of the nose.
Etymology:
Again from philtron which also means dimple in upper lip.

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