Gens n.; pl. Gentes Rom. Hist.
1. A clan or family connection, embracing several families of the same stock, who had a common name and certain common religious rites; a subdivision of the Roman curia or tribe.
2. Ethnol. A minor subdivision of a tribe, among American aborigines. It includes those who have a common descent, and bear the same totem.
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gens
n : family based on male descent; "he had no sons and there was
no one to carry on his name" [syn: name]
[also: gentes (pl)]