Gens

/dʒɛnz/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A social class or family group in ancient Rome, often comprising several generations and having a common name.

The gens Julia was one of the most prominent families in ancient Rome.

A group of related individuals, often used in a biological or anthropological context.

In a study of primates, scientists observed different gens exhibiting distinct behaviors.

A category of kinship relation; a clan or tribe.

The gens of the Native American tribe included several clans with shared ancestry.

A term used in genetics to refer to a specific lineage or group of related species.

The researchers discovered a new gens in the evolutionary tree of the species.

From Latin gens, meaning 'clan, family, race'.

gens of the family

A term referring to all members of a particular family group.

ancient gens

Refers to the historical families in ancient Roman society.

gentility

The quality of being genteel or having good manners, which may derive from noble ancestry.

genetics

The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

Generational meaning, often used to refer to a group of people with shared cultural traits.

The millennials are often talked about as a gens that values experiences over material wealth.

A casual term used to refer to friends or a group of peers.

I'm hanging out with my gens this weekend.