Dictionary.net

f[=i]'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 (f[=i]'l[=e]), 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 (f[=i]'lum), any primary division or sub-kingdom of the animal or vegetable kingdom:--pl. PHY'LA.

n. [Greek] The chief or governor of a tribe or clan.