phyle

[ fahy-lee ]

noun

, plural phy·lae [fahy, -lee].

1. (in ancient Greece) a tribe or clan, based on supposed kinship.

phyle

/ ˈfaɪlɪ /

noun

1. a tribe or clan of an ancient Greek people such as the Ionians

Derived Forms

• ˈphylic, adjective

Other Words From

• phylic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phyle¹

1860–65; < Greek phȳlḗ, akin to phŷlon phylon

Word History and Origins

Origin of phyle¹

C19: from Greek phulē tribe, clan

Example Sentences

Some have promiscuously accused the red phyle of hate speech and white supremacy, rendering the terms less powerful when required to describe the real thing.

From Washington Post

“The population of Sparta was primarily divided into five ‘phyles,’ identified with five local districts.

From Project Gutenberg

When you chose to condemn the ten generals, my phyle supplied the Prytanes, and I alone stood out against you.

From Project Gutenberg

The Celestial Kingdom is a Chinese culture phyle.

From Washington Post

A provocative new essay by Andrew Sullivan, “America Wasn’t Built for Humans,” describes the emergence of two American phyles.

From Washington Post