gens
a group of families in ancient Rome claiming descent from a common ancestor and united by a common name and common ancestral religious rites.
Anthropology. a group tracing common descent in the male line; clan.
Origin of gens
1Other words from gens
- subgens, noun, plural sub·gen·tes.
Words Nearby gens
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use gens in a sentence
Certes le capitaine Merveilles et ses gens monstrerent leur pit non vulgaire.
Ceci et plusieurs autres choses discouroit ledit Sieur de Biancourt encourageant ses gens.
Cela nous plaisoit fort, car aussy nos gens avoyent besoin 36 de temps pour s'armer et pavier.
D'effect, en deux endroits, aucuns de nos gens s'escrierent miserablement que nous estions trestous perdus.
Toute la nuit ce ne fust que haranguer, chanter, danser; car telle est la vie de toutes ces gens lorsqu'ils sont en troupe.
British Dictionary definitions for gens
/ (dʒɛnz) /
(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
anthropol a group based on descent in the male line
Origin of gens
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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