Philatelic
/ˌfɪl.əˈtɛl.ɪk/noun
Relating to the collection and study of postage stamps.
Did you know?The term was coined in the 1860s from Greek roots meaning “fond of” and “tax-free/exempt,” because early stamp collectors loved the stamp as proof that postage had been paid.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
phílos
“loving, dear, fond of”
Ancient Greek
Greek
atélēs
“not paying taxes, exempt from dues”
1860s
French/English
philatélie
“the hobby of collecting postage stamps”
Modern English
English
philatelic
“relating to stamp collecting”
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