phratry

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "phratry" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that refers to a group of related clans or lineages. Example: In the ancient Greek city-state, political power was held by the members of the various phratries.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He therefore persuaded the people to change the basis of political organization from the family, clan, and phratry (kinship group) to the locality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Smaller subdivisions were the phratry, a word connected with a philological root meaning "brother," and the genos, a smaller cluster of families (oikoi).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Assuming that his stoneworker father, Sophroniscus, kept to the conventions, he carried the infant around the hearth, thereby formally admitting him into the family, five days after he was born, named him on the tenth day, presented him to his phratry (a regional hereditary association) and took responsibility for socializing him into the various institutions proper to an Athenian male.

SEP

(The phratry, which was associated with Zeus and Apollo, continued to be an important regulator of citizenship; see above on the Demotionidai inscription).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Another Scottish scholar, Andrew Lang, early in the 20th century advocated a nominalistic meaning for totemism, namely that local groups, clans, or phratries, in selecting totem names from the realm of nature, were reacting to a need to be differentiated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first holds good, for example, for the Australians, for whom natural things are associated with cultural groups (moieties, sections, subsections, phratries, clans, or the association of persons from the same sex).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Greek symposium proper can be seen as an instrument of social control; it is a more-tangible unit of social organization, and one with better-attested Homeric antecedents, than the problematic genē or phratries discussed above.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although moieties are often referred to interchangeably with phratries and clans, they are distinct from these phenomena.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Ponca moieties, for instance, were each composed of two phratries, each consisting of two clans.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Occasionally phratries were further grouped into two complementary units, or moieties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A given pueblo, or town, might include two dozen or more matrilineal clans; these were grouped into several larger social units, or phratries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ancient social structures, use "phratry" to specifically denote a kinship group consisting of multiple clans with shared ancestry and functions.

Common error

Avoid using "phratry" interchangeably with broader terms like "moiety" or "clan". "Phratry" has a specific meaning related to a grouping of clans, so ensure the context aligns with this precise definition.

Linguistic Context

The noun "phratry" functions as a descriptor of a specific type of social structure, a kinship group consisting of related clans with shared ancestry and responsibilities. Ludwig indicates it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

50%

Science

50%

News & Media

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "phratry" refers to a kinship group consisting of related clans, typically found in historical and anthropological contexts. As Ludwig AI states, the word is grammatically correct and usable, although its occurrence is rare. It appears most frequently in encyclopedias and scientific texts. When writing about social structures, particularly in ancient or indigenous societies, using "phratry" helps to accurately describe this specific form of kinship organization. Be mindful to use it precisely, avoiding confusion with more general terms like "clan" or "moiety".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kin group

A more concise way of referring to a group based on kinship.

kinship group

Focuses on the shared ancestry and familial ties within a group.

family network

Emphasizes the interconnectedness of families within the group.

clan association

Emphasizes the clan-based nature of the social grouping.

ancestral group

Highlights the shared ancestry of the group members.

hereditary association

Highlights the inherited nature of membership in the group.

gens

A similar term referring to a Roman clan or kinship group.

tribal division

Indicates a larger, more encompassing social structure.

lineage society

Stresses the importance of ancestral lineage in the group's identity.

social division

A broader term for any kind of social grouping or division.

FAQs

What is the definition of "phratry"?

A "phratry" is a clan or kinship group consisting of a number of families claiming descent from a common ancestor and having certain collective functions and responsibilities.

How does a "phratry" differ from a clan?

While a clan is a group of people with common ancestry, a "phratry" is a grouping of related clans that function as a single unit for certain purposes.

In what historical contexts is the term "phratry" typically used?

The term "phratry" is often used when discussing ancient Greek social organization, as well as the social structures of certain Native American tribes and other indigenous cultures.

Are there modern-day equivalents to a "phratry"?

While the specific structure of a "phratry" may not exist in modern societies, similar groupings of families or clans that share resources and responsibilities can be found in some communities.