-philous

-philous
\\f(ə)ləs\ adjective combining form
Etymology: Greek philos beloved, dear, loving; probably akin to Old English bile- simple, innocent, Old High German bil-, bila- good-natured, friendly, Middle Irish bil good
: loving : having an affinity for

dendrophilous

lithophilous

acidophilous

* * *

a combining form meaning "liking," "having an affinity for" that specified by the initial element: dendrophilous. Cf. -philic.
[ < L -philus < Gk -philos. See -PHILE, -OUS]

* * *

-philiac or -philic (also, as n sfx lover of) or -philous suffix
Loving
• • •
Main Entry: ↑phil-

* * *

comb. form in adjectives corresponding to nouns ending in -philia (such as coprophilous corresponding to copraphilia)

* * *

-philous
(fɪləs)
repr. med. and mod.L. philus, Gr. -ϕιλος, for examples of which see -phil. So -philist = -phil; -phily (-fɪlɪ), in derivatives of adjectives formed with -phil, -philous, denoting the quality or condition of loving, being devoted to, or favouring the person or thing denoted by the first element of the compound.
b. In Biol. forming adjs. with the sense ‘having an affinity for or thriving in (a particular kind of habitat or environment)’, as in dendrophilous s.v. dendro-, hydrophilous, hygrophilous s.v. hygro-.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • -philous — [fi ləs] [< Gr philos, loving] combining form forming adjectives loving, having an affinity for [photophilous] …   English World dictionary

  • -philous — adjective combining form Etymology: Greek philos, from philos dear, friendly loving ; having an affinity for < hygrophilous > …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • -philous — a combining form meaning liking, having an affinity for that specified by the initial element: dendrophilous. Cf. philic. [ < L philus < Gk philos. See PHILE, OUS] * * * …   Universalium

  • -philous — phi·lous …   English syllables

  • -philous — aff. var. of philic: zoophilous[/ex] • Etymology: < L philus < Gk philos. See phile, ous …   From formal English to slang

  • -philous — a word element forming an adjective termination meaning loving , fond of , having an affinity for , or attracted to , as in anthophilous, dendrophilous, heliophilous. {Latin philus, from Greek phīlos} …  

  • ammophilous — ləs adjective Etymology: amm + philous : living or growing in the sand or in dry sandy places ammophilous grasses * * * /euh mof euh leuhs/, adj. Biol. living or growing in sand. [1875 80; < Gk ámmo(s) sand + PHILOUS] * * * ammophilous /a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • coprophilous — kəˈpräfələs adjective Etymology: copr + philous 1. : growing or living on dung coprophilous fungi coprophilous beetles 2. : fond of pornography * * * /keuh prof euh leuhs/, adj. living or growing on dung, as certain fungi. [1900 05; …   Useful english dictionary

  • dendrophilous — fələs adjective Etymology: dendr + philous : tree loving : living in or on trees dendrophilous plants * * * /den drof euh leuhs/, adj. Zool. living in or on trees; arboreal. [1885 90; DENDRO + PHILOUS] …   Useful english dictionary

  • hydrophilous — hīˈdräfələs adjective Etymology: New Latin hydrophilus water loving, from hydr + philus philous, from Greek philos loving more at philous 1. : pollinated by the agency of water 2. : hydrophytic …   Useful english dictionary

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