phyle
/ˈfaɪli/
noun
- A tribe or clan in ancient Greece, especially one of the political subdivisions of the Athenian state.
- Each phyle in ancient Athens had its own leaders and religious festivals.
- Citizens were proud of their phyle and competed in games to bring it honor.
- The historian explained how the phyle system helped organize the Athenian army.
- A group of organisms in biological classification, equivalent to a phylum (rare modern use).
- In some older textbooks, the term phyle was used instead of phylum for major animal groups.
- Students learned that each phyle shares a common body plan.
- The biologist noted that the phyle of mollusks includes snails, clams, and octopuses.