Definition 1: To flirt or make love with no intention of marriage; to pursue many superficial amorous relationships with women.

Usage 1: In Greek this word referred to the person who pursued amorous relationships with men but in English its reference changed to women. It often emerges as a proper name in literature. In Ariosto's 'Orlando Furioso,' Filandro is the youth bedazzled by Gabrina, and Philander Smith College is Arkansas's oldest private black college. (Search Google for "Philander" and see for yourself.) Now a person who philanders is referred to as a philanderer and his activity is philandering.

Suggested usage: The difference between loving men and loving women is not a minor one; however, the tide is on the side of a male-to-female gender change. We may need to make some delicate distinctions over this word: "So what is the difference between experimenting with potential marriage partners and philandering?" If you already know the difference, you can commit yourself to statements like, "I don't think Phil Anders is serious about marrying Corinne; something about him makes me suspect him of philandering."

Etymology: Transgender change is not a monopoly of human beings; today's word is precisely that, deriving from Greek philandros "loving men" based on philos "beloved, friend" + aner, andr- "man, male." "Philos" also appears in Philadelphia "city of brotherly (adelphos) love." It also appears in words such as francophile "someone who admires France" and russophile "someone who admires Russia." Philately "stamp collecting" comes from the same stem + a-telos "without tax or charge" since the postage stamp represents prepayment.