The Collaborative International Dictionary
Philomath \Phil"o*math\, n. [Gr. ?; fi`los loving, a friend +
ma`qh learning, fr. ?, ?, to learn.]
A lover of learning; a scholar.
--Chesterfield.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context archaic English) A lover of learning; a scholar. 2 An astrologer or predictor.
Gazetteer
Housing Units (2000): 1434
Land area (2000): 1.282328 sq. miles (3.321215 sq. km)
Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km)
Total area (2000): 1.282328 sq. miles (3.321215 sq. km)
FIPS code: 57450
Located within: Oregon (OR), FIPS 41
Location: 44.540443 N, 123.362787 W
ZIP Codes (1990): 97370
Note: some ZIP codes may be omitted esp. for suburbs.
Headwords:
Philomath
Wikipedia
A philomath (; Greek: φίλος philos ("beloved," "loving," as in philosophy or philanthropy) + Greek μανθάνειν manthanein, math- ("to learn," as in polymath)) is a lover of learning and studying. Philomathy is similar to, but distinguished from, philosophy in that -soph, the latter suffix, specifies " wisdom" or " knowledge", rather than the process of acquisition thereof.
Philomath is not synonymous with polymath. A philomath is a seeker of knowledge and facts, while a polymath is a possessor of knowledge in multiple fields. It signifies the desire to learn and obtain knowledge.
The shift in meaning for mathema is likely a result of the rapid categorization during the time of Plato and Aristotle of their "mathemata" in terms of education: arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music (the quadrivium), which the Greeks found to create a "natural grouping" of mathematical (in the modern usage; "doctrina mathematica" in the ancient usage) precepts.
In a philosophical dialogue, King James penned the character Epistemon to debate on arguments of whether the ancient religious concepts of witchcraft should be punished in a politically fueled Christian society. The arguments King James poses through the character Epistemon are based on concepts of theological reasoning regarding society's belief as his opponent, Philomathes takes a philosophical stance on society's legal aspects but sought to obtain the knowledge of Epistemon. This philosophical approach signified a Philomath seeking to obtain greater knowledge through epistemology. The dialogue was used by King James to educate society on various concepts including the history and etymology of the subjects debated.
A philomath is a person with a love of learning.
Philomath can also refer to:
Usage examples of "philomath".
It was at the Philomath Club—a wonderful night of battle, wherein Ernest bearded the masters in their lair.
Extra chairs had been brought into the great drawing-room, and in all there must have been two hundred Philomaths that sat down to hear Ernest.
She was appalled by what she had done in bringing this firebrand before her blessed Philomath Club.
I was seneschal to her rival the Chatelaine Nympha, and when she brought me here to the House Absolute with her in order that we might review the accounts of the estate while she attended the rites of the philomath Phocas, the Chatelaine Leocadia entrapped me by the aid of Sancha, who--"