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Philistine definition

Phil·is·tine (fil′i stēn′, -stīn′; fi lis′tin, -tēn′)

noun

  1. a member of a non-Semitic people that lived in Philistia and repeatedly warred with the Israelites

  2. Etymology: adapted < Ger Philister, orig. student slang for townspeople

    a person regarded as smugly narrow and conventional in views and tastes, lacking in and indifferent to cultural and aesthetic values

Etymology: ME < LL(Ec) Philistinus, usually pl. Philistini < LGr (Josephus) philistinoi < Heb p'lishtim; akin to Palestine

adjective

  1. of the ancient Philistines or their culture
  2. smugly conventional and lacking in culture

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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