The Collaborative International Dictionary
Philosophe \Phil"o*sophe\, n. [F., a philosopher.]
A philosophaster; a philosopher. [R.]
--Carlyle.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"Enlightenment rationalist and skeptic," especially in reference to any of the French Encyclopædists, often disparaging (when used by believers), 1774, from French philosophe, literally "philosopher" (see philosopher). Usually italicized in English, but nativized by Peter Gay ("The Enlightenment," 1966) and others. Also philosophist (1798).
Wiktionary
n. 1 any of the leading philosophers or intellectuals of the 18th century French Enlightenment. 2 (context pejorative English) an incompetent philosopher; a philosophaster.
Usage examples of "philosophe".
The anticlericalism of the philosophes was widespread in the late eighteenth century, especially among the upper classes, even among certain aristocratic clergymen.
He received the sacraments with devotion, exclaimed,-- "Grand Dieu, et vous tous temoins de ma mort, j'ai vecu en philosophe, et je meurs en Chretien," and so died.
Guizot, "Tacite a peint les Germains comme Montaigne et Rousseau les sauvages, dans un acces d'humeur contre sa patrie: son livre est une satire des moeurs Romaines, l'eloquente boutade d'un patriote philosophe qui veut voir la vertu la, ou il ne rencontre pas la mollesse honteuse et la depravation savante d'une vielle societe.
He could not accept the idea of enshrining reason as a religion, as desired by the philosophes.