gens
(dʒɛnz)
Pl. gentes (ˈdʒɛntiːz).
[a. L. gens (stem genti-), f. root *gen- of gi-gn-ĕre to beget, Gr. γίγνεσθαι be born.]
a. Roman Antiq. A clan or sept; a number of families united by the ties of a supposed common origin, a common name, and common religious rites. b. Hence employed to translate Gr. γένος of similar meaning, and to designate any similar aggregation of families.
| 1847 Grote Greece ii. x. III. 74 The Phratries and Gentes themselves were real ancient and durable associations among the Athenian people. 1855 Liddell Hist. Rome I. ii. ix. 121 The whole Fabian Gens determined to leave Rome altogether. 1872 Bagehot Physics & Pol. (1876) 184 The aggregation of families into clans or gentes. 1883 Sat. Rev. 10 Mar. 313/1 We hazard a guess that the full name indicative of the gens may have been Kishori Chand. 1889 Nature 5 Dec. 100 The general history of the various gentes and sub-gentes. |