I. In gen., love of learning or letters, literary pursuits, the study of polite literature (class.): “ne et opera et oleum philologiae nostrae perierit,” Cic. Att. 2, 17, 1; Vitr. 7 praef. § “4: Homerus philologiae omnis dux,” id. ib.—
II. In partic., explanation, interpretation of the writings of others, philology (post-Aug.): “quae philosophia fuit, facta est philologia,” Sen. Ep. 108, 24.