See Also: obsignation(dictionary)

philanthropy (iou) and obsignation (iou)


philanthropy (iou)



philanthropy noun. E17.
[Late Latin philanthropia from Greek philanthropia, formed as PHILANTHROPE: see -Y3.]
Love of humankind; the disposition or effort to promote the happiness and well-being of one's fellow people; practical benevolence. E17.
Jan Morris His first..act of philanthropy was a gift of 1,000 to the infant orthopaedic hospital.
spec. God's love of humans. M17-E18.
philanthropism noun the profession or practice of philanthropy; (a) philanthropic theory or practice: M19.
philanthropist noun (a) a person who practises philanthropy; (b) gen. a friend or lover of humankind: M18.
philanthropize verb (a) verb intrans. be philanthropic, practise philanthropy; (b) verb trans. treat (a person) philanthropically: E19.
philanthropoid noun [joc. after ANTHROPOID] a professional philanthropist; a person who dispenses funds from or for a charitable institution: M20.

obsignation (iou)



obsignation noun. Now rare. M16.
[Latin obsignatio(n-), from obsignat- pa. ppl stem of obsignare seal, seal up, from ob- OB- + signare mark, seal, SIGN verb: see -ATION.]
Formal ratification or confirmation of something. M16.
The action of sealing up. M-L17.