phyllo

¹ American  

[fee-loh] / ˈfi loʊ /

Or filo

noun

Greek and Middle Eastern Cooking.

1. flaky, tissue-thin layers of pastry used in baked desserts and appetizers.

---

phyllo- ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “leaf,” used in the formation of compound words.

   phyllopod.

---

phyllo ¹ British  

/ ˈfɪləʊ /

noun

1. a variant of filo

---

phyllo- ² British  

combining form

1. leaf

   phyllopod

---

Usage

What does phyllo- mean? Phyllo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “leaf.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology. Phyllo- comes from Greek phýllon, meaning “leaf.” The Latin cognate of phýllon is folium, also meaning “leaf,” which is the source of words such as foil, foliage, and folio. To learn more, check out our entries for these three terms. What are variants of phyllo-?When combined with words or word elements that begin with a vowel, phyllo- becomes phyll-, as in phyllite. When combined as a suffix at the end of the word, this combining form becomes -phyll or -phyl, as in chlorophyll. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use articles on phyll-, -phyll, and -phyl.

Etymology

Origin of phyllo¹

1945–50; < Modern Greek phýllo ( n ) literally, leaf; phyllo-

Origin of phyllo-²

< Greek, combining form of phýllon

Example Sentences

"Just like phyllo dough flakes apart, composite layers can peel apart because this interlaminar region is the Achilles' heel of composites," says Brian Wardle, professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2024

Look for things like grilled artichoke hearts, stuffed pepperoncini, cooked shrimp, cheese straws, savory tartlets, focaccias or little phyllo pastries.

From Washington Times • Nov. 30, 2023

Lay another six layers of phyllo over the walnuts, again, buttering each layer.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 30, 2023

I also love the sound of Amar and Sara's dessert, especially with the sponge cake and phyllo dough, but the "frozen creme anglaise pearls" actually doesn't look all that great in the close-up shots.

From Salon • May 19, 2023

“Zara and I made the phyllo pastry from scratch,” her mom says.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• bread
• cake
• croissant
• doughnut
• pie