phyllon

English

Etymology

Ancient Greek φύλλον (phúllon, “leaf”). Doublet of phyllo, distantly also with foil, folio, and folium.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfɪlɒn/, /ˈfɪlən/

Noun

phyllon (plural phylla)

1. (especially botany, uncommon) A leaf, or something (flat) resembling a leaf.
   • 1868, The American Journal of Science, page 272:

     In this following the analogy of phyton already appropriated for the integer of the axis plus the phyllon or phylla it bears.

   • 1875, Jurassic Fauna of Kutch, page 30:

     Phylloceras ptychoicum is one of the most interesting species of all those found in the Kutch Jura, [...] The lobes are most characteristic, and on them the external and first lateral saddle are the most important parts. The external saddle is beautifully symmetrical, finishing in four phylla, of which the two corresponding ones are equal; the first lateral saddle is also divided into four terminating phylla, which are, however, not quite symmetrical.

   • 1912, Contributions from the United States National Herbarium, page 99:

     Corona double; phylla of the outer row almost free, 1.8 to 2 mm. long, lanceolate, [...]

2. (chiefly historical, uncommon) A specific herb which the ancient Greek Theophrastus asserted could influence the sex of a fetus.
   • 1835, Thomas Browne, Religio medici; pseudodoxia epidemica, books 1-4, page 237:

     It were to be wished true, and women would idolize him, could that be made out which he recordeth of phyllon, mercury, and other vegetables, that the juice of the male plant drunk, or the leaves but applied unto the genitals, determines their conceptions unto males.

   • 1922, Eugene S. McCartney, “Sex Determination and Sex Control in Antiquity”, in American Journal of Philology, page 65:

     The female phyllon plant ensures the conception of issue of the same sex, while the male plant, differing only in its seed, brings about ...

Related terms

• phyllo/filo