joint family

noun

a type of extended family composed of parents, their children, and the children's spouses and offspring in one household.

First recorded in 1875–80

It is but rarely that related families live together more or less permanently, forming the beginning of the joint family.

The joint family, which is characteristic of the heroic era, takes the place of the clan.

The enlarged monogamous family, the so-called ancient or joint family, makes its appearance.

Hence the joint family directly impresses one as being an extension of the individual family.

This third characteristic has frequently caused the typical joint family to be called the 'patriarchal family.'

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