philology

n. [ L. philologia love of learning, interpretation, philology, Gr. filologi`a: cf. F. philologie. See Philologer. ] 1. Criticism; grammatical learning. [ R. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The study of language, especially in a philosophical manner and as a science; the investigation of the laws of human speech, the relation of different tongues to one another, and historical development of languages; linguistic science. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Philology comprehends a knowledge of the etymology, or origin and combination of words; grammar, the construction of sentences, or use of words in language; criticism, the interpretation of authors, the affinities of different languages, and whatever relates to the history or present state of languages. It sometimes includes rhetoric, poetry, history, and antiquities. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A treatise on the science of language. [ 1913 Webster ]