Theophilus

Ancient Greek Θεόφιλος (Theóphilos), meaning "love of God" or "friend of God".

• IPA^(key): /θiːˈɒfɪləs/

Theophilus

1. (biblical) The addressee of the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
   • 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC:
     : Luke 1:3:

     It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus.

2. A male given name from Ancient Greek; rare in English.
   • 1948, Enid Blyton, The Mystery of the Hidden House:

     'That's a good one, that is!' said Ern. 'Lovaduck, I'd like to see Uncle Theophilus when I tell him that!'

   • 1973, Thornton Wilder, Theophilus North, page 118:

     "Call me Ted, will you, Rip? 'Theophilus' is unmanageable and 'Theo' is awkward. Everybody calls me Ted or Teddie, now."

• Audio:

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Theophilus m (proper noun, strong, genitive Theophilus', plural Theophilusse or Theophilus or (colloquial) Theophilus')

1. (biblical) Theophilus (biblical figure)
2. a male given name of rare usage

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Θεόφιλος (Theóphilos).

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): [tʰeˈɔ.pʰɪ.ɫʊs]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): [t̪eˈɔː.fi.lus]

Theophilus m sg (genitive Theophilī); second declension

1. Theophilus

Second-declension noun, singular only.

• → Dutch: Theofilus
• → English: Theophilus
• → French: Théophile
• → German: Theophil
• → Italian: Teofilo
• → Polish: Teofil
• → Portuguese: Teófilo
• → Spanish: Teófilo
• → Turkish: Tiofaylas

• “Theophilus”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• Theophilus in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette.