Dictionary
gens
Pronunciation: ( jenz), [key]—
n.,
—pl. gen•tesPronunciation: (jen'tēz). [key]
1. a group of families in ancient Rome claiming descent from a common ancestor and united by a common name and common ancestral religious rites.
2. Anthropol.a group tracing common descent in the male line; clan.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.