Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun, plural gen·tes [jen-teez] /ˈdʒɛn tiz/.
- a group of families in ancient Rome claiming descent from a common ancestor and united by a common name and common ancestral religious rites.
- Anthropology. a group tracing common descent in the male line; clan.
noun plural gentes (ˈdʒɛntiːz)
- (in ancient Rome) any of a group of aristocratic families, having a common name and claiming descent from a common ancestor in the male line
- anthropol a group based on descent in the male line
1847, in reference to ancient Rome, “tribe, clan, house (of families having a name and certain religious rites in common and a presumed common origin),” from Latin gens (genitive gentis) “race, clan, nation” (see genus).