Clan

/klæn/ · noun

Meaning

(anthropology) A group of people all descended from a common ancestor, in fact or belief, especially when the exact genealogies are not known..

Definitions by Sense

1. (anthropology) A group of people all descended from a common ancestor, in fact or belief, especially when the exact genealogies are not known.
2. A traditional social group of families in the Scottish Highlands having a common hereditary chieftain.
3. Any group defined by family ties with some sort of political unity.
4. (video games) A group of players who habitually play on the same team in multiplayer games.
5. A badger colony.

Example Sentences

Holonym: nation

Near-synonym: canton (uncommon outside of certain dialects)

As a rule, you see, I'm not lugged into Family Rows. On the occasions when Aunt is calling to Aunt like mastodons bellowing across primeval swamps and Uncle James's letter about Cousin Mabel's peculiar behaviour is being shot round the family circle... the clan has a tendency to ignore me.

Synonyms for clan

Antonyms for clan

Related Words

Word Forms

• clans

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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