1. of or relating to a phratry (a social division in ancient Greek society, or a clan-like group in anthropology)
Usage: formal; academic; anthropology and ancient history

Examples

• The phratral organization of ancient Athens played a significant role in civic and religious life.
• Scholars debate the exact structure and function of phratral groups in early Greek communities.
• Phratral membership determined eligibility for certain religious ceremonies and political participation.
• The phratral system divided citizens into hereditary associations based on kinship.
• Anthropologists study phratral divisions to understand social hierarchies in pre-modern societies.