[phi.lol.o.gy] n [F philologie, fr. L philologia love of learning and literature, fr. Gk, fr. philologos fond of learning and literature, fr. phil- + logos word, speech--more at legend] (1612) 1: the study of literature and of disciplines relevant to literature or to language as used in literature
2. a: linguistics; esp: historical and comparative linguistics b: the study of human speech esp. as the vehicle of literature and as a field of study that sheds light on cultural history -- phil.o.log.i.cal adj -- phil.o.log.i.cal.ly adv -- phi.lol.o.gist n