Philology

fi-lol′ō-ji, n. the science of language: the study of etymology, grammar, rhetoric, and literary criticism: ( orig. ) the knowledge which enabled men to study and explain the cla ical languages of Greece and Rome.— ns. Philol′oger , Philolō′gian , Philol′ogist , Phil′ologue , one versed in philology.— adjs. Philolog′ic , -al .— adv. Philolog′ically .— Comparative philology , study of languages by comparing their history, forms, and relationships with each other. [L.,—Gr. phi lolog i a — philologos , fond of words— philos , loving, logos , discourse.]