gentes

Variant of gens

gens definition

gens (jenz)

noun pl. gentes gen′·tes′ (jen′tēz′)

  1. in ancient Rome, a clan united by descent through the male line from a common ancestor and having both name and religious observances in common
  2. any tribe or clan; esp., an exogamous group claiming descent through the male line

Etymology: L, orig., that belonging together by birth < base of gignere, to beget: see genus

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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