Definitions For Sophy

Etymology 1

From the {{etyl, la, en}} sophia, from the (Ancient Greek)  σοφία, σοφῐ́ᾱ, high knowledge”: “learning”, “wisdom; compare Sophia.

Alternative forms

sophie 15th–16th centuries

Pronunciation

(RP) {{enPR, sŏʹfĭ}}, /ˈsɒfɪ/

Noun

SOPHY (uncountable) (obsolete) wisdom, knowledge, learning

Etymology 2

See Sophy.

Pronunciation

(RP) {{enPR, sōʹfĭ}}, /ˈsəʊfɪ/

Noun

SOPHY (plural sophies}} {{term-label or en, historical) {{alternative case form of, en, Sophy, t=in the senses of ‘a Persian monarch’ and ‘a personage’}}.

Etymology 3

A back-formation from sophies, originally plurale tantum, but later attested in singular use (see the 1678 quotation), itself an irregular Anglicisation of the {{etyl, la, en}} sophī, whence the {{cog, en, sophi}}; compare sophy#etymology 4, sophy.

Pronunciation

(RP) {{enPR, sŏʹfi}}, /ˈsɒfi/

Noun

{{en-noun, sophies}} (obsolete) A wise man; a sage or wite.

Usage notes

This use of , sophy is occasionally preceded by the epithet grand (as in the ante 1635, 1639, and 1688 quotations), influenced by the Persian title Sophy. Perhaps by contrast, some usage is sarcastic or mocking (as in the 1645 quotation).

Etymology 4

An irregular Anglicisation of sophi; compare sophy#etymology 3, sophy ³.

Noun

{{obsolete spelling of, en, sophi}}

Etymology 5

From the common termination of the class of words denoted (e.g., philosophy, theosophy, etc.); compare the earlier ology and ism, and the later logy and osophy.

Pronunciation

(RP) {{enPR, sŏʹfĭ}}, /ˈsɒfɪ/

Noun

{{en-noun, sophies}} Any one of the various fields of study whose names end in -sophy.

Anagrams

hypos, hypso-