释义 |
phy·lum \ˈfīləm\ noun (plural phy·la \-lə\) Etymology: New Latin, from Greek phylon tribe, race — more at phyl- 1. a. : a direct line of descent within a group presumably from a single point of origin < the various evolutionary phyla to plants > b. : a group that constitutes or has the unity of such a phylum < whole phyla of resentments — W.H.Auden > < a family of birds containing three phyla of subfamilial rank > 2. : a major taxonomic unit comprising organisms sharing a fundamental pattern of organization and presumably a common descent: a. : one of the usually primary divisions of the animal kingdom < the phylum Arthropoda > < the phylum Chordata > — called also branch b. (1) : division (2) : any of several major categories of plants; especially : class 3. : a group of languages related more remotely than those of a family or stock |