Main Entry: phi·lat·e·ly

Pronunciation: \fə-ˈla-tə-lē\

Function: noun

Etymology: French philatélie, from phil- + Greek ateleia tax exemption, from atelēs free from tax, from a- + telos tax; perhaps akin to Greek tlēnai to bear; from the fact that a stamped letter frees the recipient from paying the mailing charges — more at tolerate

Date: circa 1865

: the collection and study of postage and imprinted stamps : stamp collecting

— phil·a·tel·ic \ˌfi-lə-ˈte-lik\ adjective

— phil·a·tel·i·cal·ly \-li-k(ə-)lē\ adverb