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

Example Sentences

Byrd responded to Campion’s death musically, both in his setting of the Jesuit Henry Walpole’s “Why do I use my paper, ink, and pen?” and in the highly symbolic “Deus venerunt gentes.”

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For me, as for many first gens, a college degree was transformative.

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This is home to 300 travellers - a Gypsy community, described in French as gitanes or gens de voyages.

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Colleges can identify first gens on the Common Application, which asks for parents’ education history.

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Grandfather stands in his box, backed by the rest of the family, reminding everyone here that one of the Empire's most powerful gens has seen a son graduate today.

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