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gentes

 - 4 dictionary results

gens

  [jenz]
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–noun, plural gen⋅tes  [jen-teez] .
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.
Origin:
1840–50; < L gēns race, people. See genus, gender 1 , gender 2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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gens   (jěnz)   
n.   pl. gen·tes (jěn'tēz')

  1. A patrilineal clan of ancient Rome composed of several families of the same name claiming a common ancestor and belonging to a common religious cult.

  2. Anthropology An exogamous patrilineal clan.


[Latin gēns; see genə- in Indo-European roots.]
gen·tes   (jěn'tēz')   
n.  Plural of gens.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

gens 
1847, in reference to ancient Rome, "tribe, clan," from L. gens (gen. gentis) "race, clan, nation" (see genus).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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