clan Definition
clan (klan)
noun
- an early form of social group, as in the Scottish Highlands, composed of several families claiming descent from a common ancestor, bearing the same family name, and following the same chieftain
- in certain primitive societies, a tribal division, usually exogamous, of matrilineal or patrilineal descent from a common ancestor
- a group of people with interests in common; clique; set
- Informal family (sense )
Etymology: Gael & Ir clann, cland, offspring, tribe < L planta, offshoot: see plant
clan Synonyms
clan Usage Examples
Converse of object
- compete: I will give news about the competing clans in the cup soon.
- join: The only way to get a good bit of team play going is to join a clan or group up with some mates.
- neighbor: James Stewart of Ardvorlich had been at odds with some several of the neighboring clans but had always managed to avoid them.
Adjective modifier
- rival: Somalia no longer has a central government, but is divided up between rival clans, warring over ownership of land and resources.
- Scottish: He then continued a guerilla war against the English in the name of King John, with the support of the Scottish clans.
- skilled: I've had to stop a good number of players from joining lower skilled clans this week.
- friendly: Hi were a friendly clan that like to play other friendly clans of any skill.
- entire: They were large feasts with music and dancing, and the entire clan was invited.
Modifies a noun
- tartan: One example of Scott's poetic license was his invention of the idea of clan tartans.
- chieftain: The clan chieftains pitted their pipers against those of other clans and the prestige that came from success was considerable.
- crest: The Clan Crest Quaich The Clan Crest Quaich is a classic quaich with a clan crest transfer fired into the center of the bowl.
- feud: By following the loch side road you reach the ruins of Strome Castle destroyed in a clan feud in 1603.
- chief: Brodie Castle, now restored, is the seat of the clan chief.
- rivalry: The idea of clan rivalry is vital to the natural flow of the storyline.
Noun used with modifier
- ninja: I'd like you to join me in forming our own FJ ninja clan.
- samurai: You are the daimyo of one of the greatest samurai clans.
- gaming: I'm hoping to build a website/forum for a gaming clan that I will be a part of.
- Gypsy: In days gone by Yetholm was associated with a family called the Faas, who were the principal Gypsy clan of the Border Country.
- ruling: Two, give him an alternative for safe passage at the same time; this may create a crack in the ruling class clan.
- badger: What we do know is that some of the badger clans are almost transient, possibly nomadic!

