Definition of PHRATRY

phratry

Plural: phratries

Noun

  • A tribal subdivision or kinship group in ancient societies.
  • people descended from a common ancestor
  • A clan or kinship group consisting of a number of families claiming descent from a common ancestor and having certain collective functions and responsibilities.
  • A former kinship division consisting of two or more distinct clans with separate identities but considered to be a single unit.

Examples

  • We formed a PHRATRY of Words With Friends players, hoping to collectively outscore the computer.

Origin / Etymology

PIE word
*bʰréh₂tēr
From Latin phrātria, from Ancient Greek φρατρία (phratría, “tribe, clan”), from φράτηρ (phrátēr) + -ία (-ía).

Synonyms

family, family line, folk, kinfolk, kinsfolk, sept

Scrabble Score: 15

phratry: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
phratry: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
phratry: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

phratry: valid Words With Friends Word