gens

gens  (jnz)

n. pl. gen·tes (jntz)

1. A patrilineal clan of ancient Rome composed of several families of the same name claiming a common ancestor and belonging to a common religious cult.

2. Anthropology An exogamous patrilineal clan.

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[Latin gns; see gen- in Indo-European roots.]

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gens [dʒɛnz]

n pl gentes [ˈdʒɛntiːz]

1. (Historical Terms) (in ancient Rome) any of a group of aristocratic families, having a common name and claiming descent from a common ancestor in the male line

2. (Social Science / Anthropology & Ethnology) Anthropol a group based on descent in the male line

[from Latin: race; compare genus, gender]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

gens - family based on male descent; "he had no sons and there was no one to carry on his name" name kinfolk, kinsfolk, phratry, family line, sept, folk, family - people descended from a common ancestor; "his family has lived in Massachusetts since the Mayflower"