phylum
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.phy·lum
noun \ˈfī-ləm\ plural phy·la \-lə\
Definition of PHYLUM
1
a : a direct line of descent within a group b : a group that constitutes or has the unity of a phylum; specifically : a primary category in biological taxonomy especially of animals that ranks above the class and below the kingdom — compare division 10
2
: a group of languages related more remotely than those of a family or stock
See Origin of PHYLUM
New Latin, from Greek phylon tribe, race — more at phyl-
First Known Use: 1876
phy·lum
noun \ˈfī-ləm\ (Medical Dictionary)plural ; phy·la \-lə\ (audio pronunciation)
Medical Definition of PHYLUM
: a major group of animals or in some classifications plants sharing one or more fundamental characteristics that set them apart from all other animals and plants and forming a primary category of the animal or plant kingdom <the phylum Arthropoda>
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