Philanthropist

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Philanthropist \Phi*lan"thro*pist\, n. [Gr. fila`nqrwpos; fi`los
     loving + 'a`nqrwpos man: cf. F. philanthrope.]
     1. One who practices philanthropy; one who loves mankind, and
        seeks to promote the good of others; especially, a wealthy
        individual who donates large amounts of money to
        charitable or philanthropic causes. Opposite of


        {misanthrope}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  philanthropist
       n : someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase
           human well-being [syn: {altruist}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  46 Moby Thesaurus words for "philanthropist":
     Maecenas, Robin Hood, Santa Claus, almoner, almsgiver, angel,
     assignor, awarder, backer, benefactor, benefactress, benevolist,
     bestower, cheerful giver, conferrer, consignor, contributor,
     do-gooder, donator, donor, fairy godmother, feoffor, financer,
     funder, giver, grantor, humanitarian, imparter, lady bountiful,
     patron, patroness, power for good, presenter, settler,
     social worker, sponsor, subscriber, sugar daddy, supporter,
     testate, testator, testatrix, vouchsafer, welfare statist,
     welfare worker, well-doer
  
  

From THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993) [devils]:

  PHILANTHROPIST, n.  A rich (and usually bald) old gentleman who has
  trained himself to grin while his conscience is picking his pocket.