gens

[jenz]

noun

plural

gentes 

1. a group of families in ancient Rome claiming descent from a common ancestor and united by a common name and common ancestral religious rites.

2. Anthropology.,  a group tracing common descent in the male line; clan.

gens

/ dʒɛnz /

noun

1. (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. anthropol a group based on descent in the male line

Other Word Forms

• subgens noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gens¹

First recorded in 1840–50, gens is from the Latin word gēns race, people. See genus, gender ¹, gender ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of gens¹

C19: from Latin: race; compare _genus , _gender