phyle

[fahy-lee]

noun

plural

phylae 

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

Other Word Forms

• phylic 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.

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

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

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The Celestial Kingdom is a Chinese culture phyle.

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

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