Phthisis, thī′sis, n. consumption or wasting away of the lungs.—adjs. Phthis′ic, -al (tiz′ik, -al), pertaining to or having phthisis.—n. Phthisiology (tiz-i-ol′ō-ji), the sum of scientific knowledge about phthisis. [L.,—Gr. phthiein, to waste away.]
Phycology, fī-kol′ō-ji, n. the knowledge of algæ or sea-weeds.—n. Phycog′raphy, systematic description of algae.—adj. Phycolog′ic.—n. Phycol′ogist.
Phylactery, fi-lak′te-ri, n. a charm or amulet: among the Jews, a slip of parchment inscribed with certain passages of Scripture, worn on the left arm or forehead: among the early Christians, a case in which relics were preserved.—adjs. Phylacter′ic, -al. [L.,—Gr. phylaktērion, phylaktēr, a guard—phylassein, to guard.]
Phylarch, fī′lark, n. in ancient Greece, the chief of a tribe: in Athens, the commander of the cavalry of a tribe.—ns. Phy′larchy, the office of a phylarch; Phyle (fī′lē), a tribe or clan in ancient Greece.—adj. Phylet′ic, pertaining to a race or tribe: pertaining to a phylum of the animal kingdom.—n. Phylum (fī′lum), any primary division or sub-kingdom of the animal or vegetable kingdom:—pl. Phy′la.
Phyllite, fil′īt, n. clay-slate or argillaceous schist.—adj. Phyllit′ic. [Gr.,—phyllon, a leaf.]
Phyllium, fil′i-um, n. a genus of orthopterous insects of family Phasmidæ—leaf-insects or walking-leaves.
Phyllodium, fi-lō′di-um, n. a petiole which usurps the function of a leaf-blade.—adj. Phyllodin′eous.
Phylloid, fil′oid, adj. leaf-like—also Phylloi′deous.—ns. Phyl′lomancy, divination by leaves; Phyllomā′nia, abnormal production of leaves; Phyl′lome, foliage.—adj. Phyllom′ic.—n. Phyl′lomorphy, the reversion of floral organs, as sepals and bracts, to leaves—better Phyl′lody.
Phyllophagous, fi-lof′a-gus, adj. feeding on leaves.—n. a member of the Phylloph′aga, a tribe of hymenopterous insects—the saw-flies: a group of lamellicorn beetles which are leaf-eaters—the chafers.