philhellenic, a.
(fɪlhɛˈliːnɪk, -ˈɛnɪk)
[f. as prec. + Hellenic.]
Loving, friendly to, or supporting the cause of, Greece or the Greeks (esp. in relation to national independence). So philhellenism (fɪlˈhɛliːnɪz(ə)m), the principle of supporting the Greeks; philhellenist (fɪlhɛˈliːnɪst), a friend or supporter of Greece (also attrib.).
| 1830 Maunder Dict., *Philhellenic. 1852 Grote Greece ii. lxx. IX. 96 So emphatically did he [Klearchus] pledge himself for the good faith and philhellenic dispositions of the satrap. |
| 1862 G. Finlay in Freeman's Life & Lett. (1895) I. 281, I feel again a return of *philhellenism. 1869 H. F. Tozer Highl. Turkey II. 304 The suggestion was..decried as striking at the root of all Phil-hellenism. |
| 1811 Byron Rem. on Romaic Wks. (1846) 793/2 The reply of the *Philellenist I have not translated. 1842 Mrs. Browning Grk. Chr. Poets 98 But if by chance an Attic voice be wist, They grow softhearted straight, philhellenist. |