First Known Use: circa 1736
Dictionary
philanthropist
noun phi·lan·thro·pist \fə-ˈlan(t)-thrə-pist\
: a wealthy person who gives money and time to help make life better for other people
Full Definition of PHILANTHROPIST
: one who makes an active effort to promote human welfare : a person who practices philanthropy
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Examples of PHILANTHROPIST
- John D. was indisputably a great philanthropist. He took care of his family first, of course; but he founded the University of Chicago in 1892, the Rockefeller Institute (now Rockefeller University) in 1901, and the Rockefeller Foundation in 1911, and made other substantial gifts along the way. —Robert M. Solow, New Republic, 23 Dec. 2002
- You had to admire it and admire the man, who sat now like a benign locust, his slender insectile body swamped in a black leather chair, leaning over the desk, all smiles, a parasite disguised as a philanthropist. —Zadie Smith, White Teeth, 2000
- Among his converts was Arthur Tappan, a New York textile merchant and philanthropist who sheltered and guided the development of the antislavery movement through its long early years by dint of sheer openhandedness. —Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam, (1998) 2005
- … a hundred-and-one-year-old Jewish philanthropist in Hartsdale named Henry J. Gaisman donated two and a quarter million dollars to the Archdiocese to purchase the property and preserve the integrity of the landmark. —Brendan Gill, New Yorker, 10 June 1991
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Origin of PHILANTHROPIST
(see philanthropy)
PHILANTHROPIST Defined for Kids
philanthropist
noun phi·lan·thro·pist \fə-ˈlan-thrə-pəst\
Definition of PHILANTHROPIST for Kids
: a person who gives generously to help other people
Learn More About PHILANTHROPIST
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