PHILOSOPHER • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Philosopher

Add this Dictionary
to your website!
See more options...

/fəlˈɑsəfər/ Listen

noun

Philosopher n.

One who philosophizes; one versed in, or devoted to, philosophy. "Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered him."

One who reduces the principles of philosophy to practice in the conduct of life; one who lives according to the rules of practical wisdom; one who meets or regards all vicissitudes with calmness.

An alchemist. (Obs.)

Philosopher's stone, an imaginary stone which the alchemists formerly sought as the instrument of converting the baser metals into gold.

See images of 'Philosopher'

Etymology of 'Philosopher'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

Share |

"Philosopher" Quotes from Famous Books

... concealed something of the philosopher under the garb of a wag. His quaint sayings and doings were frequently quoted with great relish among this rural population. He had a way of his own of shooting facts and truths into the uncultivated understandings of these laborers,—facts and truths that never otherwise could have ...

— The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 1, Issue 2, December, 1857 • Various

... B. F., to bring down two books, of which I will mark the places on this slip of paper. (While he is gone, I may say that this boy, our land-lady's youngest, is called BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, after the celebrated philosopher of that name. ...

— The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table • Oliver Wendell Holmes

... could see spirits by looking into an earthen vessel, but Cardan was little impressed by what he saw, and began to talk with the school-master about Archimedes. The school-master brought out a work of the Greek philosopher with which was bound up the Ptolemaei Libri de Judiciis. Cardan fastened upon it at once, and wanted to buy it, but the school-master insisted that he should take it as a gift. He declares that his Commentaries thereupon are ...

— Jerome Cardan - A Biographical Study • William George Waters

... then the sudden change to a warm fire, I was rather inclined not to move on the entrance of the stranger. But the name of Thomas Dick, LL.D., roused me in a moment, from my lethargy; I could scarcely believe that I was in the presence of the "Christian Philosopher." Dr. Dick is one of the men to whom the age is indebted. I never find myself in the presence of one to whom the world owes so much as Dr. Dick, without feeling a thrilling emotion, as if I were in the land of spirits. Dr. Dick had come to our lodgings to see and congratulate Wm. and ...

— Three Years in Europe - Places I Have Seen and People I Have Met • William Wells Brown

... yielding. Pride, a silly self-conceit, the greatest enemy of the human race, forbade him to yield. For, on the previous night, Helen had snubbed him—and not for the first time. He could not accept the snub with meekness, though it would have paid him handsomely to do so, though as a Christian and a philosopher he ought to have done so. He ...

— Helen with the High Hand (2nd ed.) • Arnold Bennett

More quotes...