English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From philosophy +‎ -ical, from Ancient Greek φιλοσοφία (philosophía, love of knowledge, scientific learning). Displaced native Old English ūþwitlīċ.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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philosophical (comparative more philosophical, superlative most philosophical)

  1. Of, or pertaining to, philosophy.
  2. Rational; analytic or critically-minded; thoughtful.
    • 1846, Edgar Allan Poe, “The Sphinx”, in Arthur's Ladies Magazine:
      His richly philosophical intellect was not at any time affected by unrealities.
  3. Detached, calm, stoic.
    • 1911, Hector Hugh Munro, The Schartz-Metterklume Method:
      She bore the desertion with philosophical indifference.

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Derived terms

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Translations

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Further reading

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