phratry

[ frey-tree ]

noun

, plural phra·tries.

1. a grouping of clans or other social units within a tribe.
2. (in ancient Greece) a subdivision of a phyle.

phratry

/ ˈfreɪtrɪ /

noun

1. anthropol a group of people within a tribe who have a common ancestor

Derived Forms

• ˈphratric, adjective

Other Words From

• phratric phratral phratri·ac phratri·al adjective
• sub·phratry noun plural subphratries

Word History and Origins

Origin of phratry¹

1745–55; < Greek phrātría, equivalent to phrātr-, stem of phrātḗr clansman (akin to brother ) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of phratry¹

C19: from Greek phratria clan, from phratēr fellow clansman; compare Latin frāter brother

Example Sentences

Then the rules, where classes exist, would amount to this: no person may marry another who, by phratry, totem or generation, owns the same hereditary animal name as himself or herself.

From Project Gutenberg

Very often the bitterest feuds existed between families within the tribe and of the same phratry, although if attacked by a stranger people all would unite for mutual protection.

From Project Gutenberg

The phratries have no social significance, there is no central clan house, no recognised head, no meeting, council or any organisation, nor does the clan as such ever act as a body.

From Project Gutenberg

Traces of this union of immigrants with older inhabitants have been detected in the combination of Zeus Herkeios with Apollo Patro�s as the ancient gods of the phratry.

From Project Gutenberg

Outside the self-sustaining phratry was the stranger, including the wayfarer and the vagrant; and partly merged in these classes was the beggar, the recognized recipient of the alms of the community.

From Project Gutenberg