HOW TO PRONOUNCE
philistine
/ˈfɪlɪˌstaɪn/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:21
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What does philistine mean?
noun
- (figuratively) An opponent (of the speaker, writer, etc); an enemy, a foe.
- Alternative letter-case form of philistine (“a person who is ignorant or uneducated; specifically, a person who lacks appreciation of or is antagonistic towards art or culture, and who has pedestrian tastes”).
adjective
- Alternative letter-case form of philistine (“ignorant or uneducated; specifically, lacking appreciation for or antagonistic towards art or culture, and having pedestrian tastes”).
More meanings (5)
noun
- (derogatory) A person who is ignorant or uneducated; specifically, a person who lacks appreciation of or is antagonistic towards art or culture, and who has pedestrian tastes.
- (historical) A non-Semitic person from ancient Philistia, a region in the southwest Levant in the Middle East.
- (historical) In German universities: a person not associated with the university; a non-academic or non-student; a townsperson.
adjective
- (derogatory) Ignorant or uneducated; specifically, lacking appreciation for or antagonistic towards art or culture, and having pedestrian tastes.
- (historical) Originating from ancient Philistia; of or pertaining to the ancient Philistines.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈfɪlɪˌstaɪn/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
Becoming a Philistine will not enable a man to interpret Philistinism, though Philistines who own big presses think so.
It has drowned the most heavenly ecstasies of religious fervour, of chivalrous enthusiasm, of philistine sentimentalism, in the icy water of egotistical calculation.
More book examples (3)
And David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of its sheath, and slew him with it.
However, since the lion and the bear have not as yet devoured me, I hope God will also deliver us from the next uncircumcised Philistine.
A craftsman wants to shine with some foolishness in another craft, and “the philistine is happiest when he is considered a devil of a fellow.”