phylo-

before vowels phyl-, modern word-forming element, mostly in the sciences, often meaning "phylum," from Greek phylon, phylē "a tribe," also a political subdivision in ancient Athens, from base of phyein "to bring forth, produce, make to grow," whence also physis "nature" (from PIE root *bheue- "to be, exist, grow").

updated on May 30, 2020