n. The collection and study of postage stamps, postmarks, and related materials; stamp collecting. [French philatélie : Greek phil-, philo-, philo- + Greek ateleia, exemption from payment (because a postage stamp indicates prepayment of postage) (a-, without; see A-1 + telos, tax, charge; see telə- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] phil′a·telic (fĭl′ə-tĕlĭk), phil′a·teli·cal (-ĭ-kəl) adj. phil′a·teli·cal·ly adv. phi·late·list n. |
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