phy·lum

[fahy-luhm]
noun, plural phy·la [-luh] .
1.
Biology. the primary subdivision of a taxonomic kingdom, grouping together all classes of organisms that have the same body plan.
2.
Linguistics. a category consisting of language stocks that, because of cognates in vocabulary, are considered likely to be related by common origin. Compare stock ( def 13 ).

Origin:
1875–80; < Neo-Latin < Greek phŷlon tribe, stock; see phylon

phy·lar, adjective
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World English Dictionary
phylum (ˈfaɪləm) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
n , pl -la
1.  a major taxonomic division of living organisms that contain one or more classes. An example is the phylum Arthropoda (insects, crustaceans, arachnids, etc, and myriapods)
2.  any analogous group, such as a group of related language families or linguistic stocks
 
[C19: New Latin, from Greek phulon race]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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00:10
Phylum is always a great word to know.
So is communication. Does it mean:
the usual major subdivision of a family or subfamily in the classification of organisms, usually consisting of more than one species
transfer of information from one cell or molecule to another, as by chemical or electrical signals
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

phylum
"division of the plant or animal kingdom," 1876, from Mod.L., coined by Fr. naturalist Georges Léopole Chrétien Frédéric Dagobert, Baron Cuvier (1769-1832) from Gk. phylon "race, stock," related to phyle "tribe, clan," and phylein "bring forth" (see physic).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

phylum phy·lum (fī'ləm)
n. pl. phy·la (-lə)
A taxonomic category that is a primary division of a kingdom and ranks above a class in size.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
phylum   (fī'ləm)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural phyla
A group of organisms ranking above a class and below a kingdom. See Table at taxonomy.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
phylum [(feye-luhm)]

plur. phyla

One of the major divisions of the kingdoms of living things; the second-largest standard unit of biological classification. The arthropods, chordates, and mollusks are phyla. Phyla in the plant kingdom are frequently called divisions. (See Linnean classification.)

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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