PHILOSOPHIC

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does philosophic mean? 

• PHILOSOPHIC (adjective)
  The adjective PHILOSOPHIC has 2 senses:

1. of or relating to philosophy or philosophers

2. characterized by the attitude of a philosopher; meeting trouble with level-headed detachment

  Familiarity information: PHILOSOPHIC used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PHILOSOPHIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of or relating to philosophy or philosophers

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

philosophic; philosophical

Context example:

a considerable knowledge of philosophical terminology

Pertainym:

philosophy (the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics)

Derivation:

philosopher (a specialist in philosophy)

philosophy (the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Characterized by the attitude of a philosopher; meeting trouble with level-headed detachment

Synonyms:

philosophic; philosophical

Context example:

a philosophic attitude toward life

Similar:

unemotional (unsusceptible to or destitute of or showing no emotion)

Derivation:

philosopher (a wise person who is calm and rational; someone who lives a life of reason with equanimity)

 Context examples 

Well, continued her philosophic mother, I am glad I did not know of your journey at the time; but now it is all over, perhaps there is no great harm done.

(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)

When Mr. Bennet arrived, he had all the appearance of his usual philosophic composure.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

He achieved a staidness, and calmness, and philosophic tolerance.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

"I imagine it's the philosophic slang that bothers you," was all he could say.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

"Then I shall come home and teach drawing for my living," replied the aspirant for fame, with philosophic composure.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

His heart was now open to Elinor, all its weaknesses, all its errors confessed, and his first boyish attachment to Lucy treated with all the philosophic dignity of twenty-four.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

After this speech the two girls sat many minutes silent, each thoughtful: Fanny meditating on the different sorts of friendship in the world, Mary on something of less philosophic tendency.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

This was bad enough; but, as the philosophic Dane observes, with that universal applicability which distinguishes the illustrious ornament of the Elizabethan Era, worse remains behind!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Mr. Woodhouse was quite at ease; and the seeing him so, with the arrival of the little boys and the philosophic composure of her brother on hearing his fate, removed the chief of even Emma's vexation.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

A cold supper was ready upon the table, and when his needs were satisfied and his pipe alight he was ready to take that half comic and wholly philosophic view which was natural to him when his affairs were going awry.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)