ENGLISH
REFERENCE

philosopher

n. countable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //fəˈɫɑsəfɝ// UK //fɪlˈɒsəfɐ// philoso·pher Archaic

n. someone who studies and thinks deeply about big questions, like the meaning of life or what is right and wrong.

n. a person who seeks to understand the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence through systematic study and rational argument.


SIMPLE

The philosopher spent years writing about the nature of truth.

CONTEXTUAL

Ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates and Plato changed the way people think about politics and ethics.

COMPLEX

While some view the modern philosopher as a purely academic figure, their work often provides the ethical framework for legal systems and social movements.

Origin

From Middle English philosophre, from Anglo-Norman or Middle French philosophe, from Latin philosophus, from Ancient Greek φιλόσοφος (philósophos, literally “lover of wisdom”) + -er. Credited as having been coined by Pythagoras to describe himself. Displaced native Old English ūþwita.

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