Meaning of philematology | Babel Free

Definitions

The scientific study of kissing.

uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“The Italians use⟳ the expression baciare co' denti (kiss with the teeth) to signify "to love⟳." We can only treat⟳ these kisses as a sort⟳ of transitional link⟳, of shorter or longer duration, according to circumstances. They are, as it were, "a sea fraught with perils," which in Mlle. [Madeleine] de Scudéry's celebrated letter (la carte de tendre), carries one to strange countries (les terres inconnues); but, as these countries lie⟳ outside the regions of pure philematology, I shall not pursue⟳ my investigations further.”

“Although philematology (the art and science of lip-locking) remains largely unstudied, researchers have⟳ proven that kissing not only decreases levels of cortisol, a chemical that creates stress⟳, but also increases oxytocin, a chemical that heightens feelings of affection and potentially fights depression and disease.”

“"Now the flip side of this whole kissing as exercise thing is that, like⟳, hundreds of bacteria are exchanged in a kiss—so you know⟳ …" she extended her arms in a balancing gesture, "it's all risk-benefit and yeah, all in the name⟳ of philematology—that's the actual scientific term used for the study⟳ of kissing. Oh and get⟳ this, a woman has usually kissed about seventy-nine men before she finally settles and gets married."”

“There's a lot riding on a kiss, as work⟳ in philematology suggests, since the act appears to set⟳ off a complex set⟳ of chemical reactions that enhance romantic feelings and make⟳ physical acts like⟳ sexual intercourse much more meaningful.”

CEFR level