phratry
Americannoun
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a grouping of clans or other social units within a tribe.
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(in ancient Greece) a subdivision of a phyle.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of phratry
1745–55; < Greek phrātría, equivalent to phrātr-, stem of phrātḗr clansman (akin to brother ) + -ia -y 3
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Phratry, frā′tri, n. a clan: a brotherhood—also Phrā′tria.—adj.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various
The Chickasas are organized in two phratries, of which one contains four and the other eight gentes, as follows: I. Panther Phratry.
From Houses and House-Life of the American Aborigines by Morgan, Lewis H.
The Gens: organized upon kin; rights, privileges, and obligations of its members—The Phratry: its character and functions—The Tribe: its composition and attributes—The Confederacy of Tribes: its nature, character and functions.
From Houses and House-Life of the American Aborigines by Morgan, Lewis H.
"Bloods" and "Castes" 150-152 Index of Phratry, Blood, and Class Names 153-157 Index of Subjects 158-163 MAPS.
From Kinship Organisations and Group Marriage in Australia by Thomas, Northcote Whitridge
They have two phratries, as follows: I. Wolf Phratry.
From Houses and House-Life of the American Aborigines by Morgan, Lewis H.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
