I. ˈfiləˌstēn, fə̇ˈlistə̇n, fə̇ˈliˌstēn sometimes ˈfiləˌstīn or -_stə̇n noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin Philistinus, from Greek Philistinos, from Hebrew Pĕlishtī
1. capitalized : a native or inhabitant of ancient Philistia in the coastal regions of southwest Palestine
2. usually capitalized , archaic : someone (as a bailiff, a critic) regarded as a natural or traditional enemy because belonging to a despised class
3. often capitalized
[translation of German Philister ]
a. : a crass prosaic often priggish individual guided by material rather than intellectual values : babbitt , bourgeois IV
it is only the Philistine who seeks to estimate a personality by the vulgar test of production — Oscar Wilde
the Philistine wants to talk about morals, not to understand what is morally wrong — J.T.Farrell
b.
(1) : one deficient in originality or aesthetic sensitivity
the Philistine's sturdy preference for reproduction of the familiar — John Dewey
irresponsible philistines will bring about the disfigurement of Trinity's front greens and the walled banks of the Liffey — Dublin Sunday Independent
(2) : one uninformed in a special area of knowledge : ignoramus , outsider
a course … designed to bring philistines to like literature — L.A.King
the history … makes fascinating reading even for philatelic Philistines — Mollie Panter-Downes
II. adjective
1. usually capitalized : of or relating to the people of ancient Philistia
2. often capitalized : of, relating to, or characteristic of a Babbitt : bourgeois , materialistic
a slightly missionary flavor as of one bringing the gospel of culture to a Philistine world — Yale Review
— compare biedermeier
3. often capitalized
a. : oblivious to aesthetics : insensitive
the old familiar theme of the misunderstood genius at war with philistine society — Henry Miller
b. : displaying or marked by indifference or lack of specialized knowledge : uninformed
my attitude toward the ballet, which is Philistine and ignorant — John Woodburn