phyle

English

Etymology

From New Latin phȳlē, from Ancient Greek φῡλή (phūlḗ, “a union of individuals into a community”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfaɪli/
• Homophone: Filey

Noun

phyle (plural phyles or phylae)

1. (Ancient Greece) A local division of the people; a clan or tribe.
2. (historical) A subdivision of the priestly caste in ancient Egypt, headed by a phylarch.

References

• “phyle”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.