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phe·nom·e·non noun, plural -na or -nons [ORIGIN: LL phaenomenon, fr. Gk phainomenon, fr. neut. of phainomenos, prp. of phainesthai to appear]

1 plural -na : an observable fact or event

2 : an outward sign of the working of a law of nature

3 plural -nons : an extraordinary person or thing : PRODIGY

Synonyms

caution, flash, marvel, miracle, portent, prodigy, sensation, wonder—more at WONDER

pher·o·mone noun : a chemical substance that is produced by an animal and serves to stimulate a behavioral response in other individuals of the same species

— pher·o·mon·al adjective

phi noun : the 21st letter of the Greek alphabet — Φ or φ

phi·al noun : VIAL

Phil abbreviation Philippians

phi·lan·der verb : to have casual or illicit sexual relations with many women

— phi·lan·der·er noun

phil·an·throp·ic adjective : of, relating to, or characterized by philanthropy

— phil·an·throp·i·cal·ly adverb

Synonyms

altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, charitable, humanitarian—more at CHARITABLE

phi·lan·thro·py noun, plural -pies 1 : goodwill toward all people; especially : effort to promote human welfare

2 : a charitable act or gift; also : an organization that distributes or is supported by donated funds

— phi·lan·thro·pist noun

Synonyms

alms, benefaction, beneficence, charity, contribution, donation—more at CONTRIBUTION

phi·lat·e·ly noun : the collection and study of postage and imprinted stamps

— phil·a·tel·ic adjective

— phi·lat·e·list noun

Phi·le·mon noun : a book of the New Testament of the Christian Scripture

Phi·lip·pi·ans noun : a book of the New Testament of the Christian Scripture

phi·lip·pic noun : TIRADE

phi·lis·tine noun, often cap [ORIGIN: Philistine, inhabitant of ancient Philistia (Palestine)]

: a person who is smugly insensitive or indifferent to intellectual or artistic values

— philistine adjective, often cap

Phil·lips adjective : of, relating to, or being a screw having a head with a cross slot or its corresponding screwdriver

philo·den·dron noun, plural -drons also -dra [ORIGIN: NL, fr. Gk, neut. of philodendros loving trees, fr. philos dear, friendly + dendron tree]

: any of various plants of the arum family grown for their showy foliage

phi·lol·o·gy noun 1 : the study of literature and relevant fields

2 : LINGUISTICS; especially : historical and comparative linguistics

— phil·o·log·i·cal adjective

— phi·lol·o·gist noun

philos abbreviation philosopher; philosophy

phi·los·o·pher noun 1 : a reflective thinker : SCHOLAR

2 : a student of or specialist in philosophy

3 : a person whose philosophical perspective makes it possible to meet trouble calmly

phi·los·o·phise British variant of PHILOSOPHIZE

phi·los·o·phize verb -phized; -phiz·ing 1 : to reason like a philosopher : THEORIZE

2 : to expound a philosophy esp. superficially

phi·los·o·phy noun, plural -phies 1 : sciences and liberal arts exclusive of medicine, law, and theology

2 : a critical study of fundamental beliefs and the grounds for them

3 : a system of philosophical concepts

4 : a basic theory concerning a particular subject or sphere of activity

5 : the sum of the ideas and convictions of an individual or group

6 : calmness of temper and judgment

— phil·o·soph·i·cal also phil·o·soph·ic adjective

— phil·o·soph·i·cal·ly adverb

Synonyms

creed, doctrine, gospel, ideology—more at CREED

phil·ter noun 1 : a potion, drug, or charm held to arouse sexual passion

2 : a magic potion

phil·tre chiefly British variant of PHILTER

phle·bi·tis noun : inflammation of a vein

phle·bot·o·my noun, plural -mies : the opening of a vein esp. for removing or releasing blood

phlegm noun [ORIGIN: ME fleume, fr. AF, fr. LL phlegma, fr. Gk, flame, inflammation, phlegm, fr. phlegein to burn]

1 : thick mucus secreted in abnormal quantity esp. in the nose and throat

2 : dull or apathetic coldness or indifference

Synonyms

apathy, impassivity, numbness, stupor—more at APATHY

phleg