/ fɪˈlætəli; NAmE / noun
[ U ] ( technical ) the collection and study of stamps
► phila·tel·ic / ˌfɪləˈtelɪk; NAmE / adjective
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: from French philatélie , from philo- loving + Greek ateleia exemption from payment (from a- not + telos toll, tax), used to mean a franking mark or postage stamp exempting the recipient from payment.