phratry

American  

[frey-tree] / ˈfreɪ tri /

noun

plural

phratries

1. a grouping of clans or other social units within a tribe.

2. (in ancient Greece) a subdivision of a phyle.

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phratry British  

/ ˈfreɪtrɪ /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• phratral adjective
• phratriac adjective
• phratrial adjective
• phratric adjective
• subphratry noun

Etymology

Origin of phratry

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

Example Sentences

Each such division has a name, which, when it can be translated, is the name of an animal: in the majority of cases, however, the meaning of the phratry name is lost.

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

We take the former first, dealing with the clan-family and the phratry, which are together the self-maintaining unit of society, with the general relief of the poor, with hospitality, and with vagrancy.

From Project Gutenberg