Main Entry:

gens

Pronunciation:

\ˈjenz, ˈgen(t)s\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural gen·tes \ˈjen-ˌtēz, ˈgen-ˌtās\

Etymology:

Latin gent-, gens — more at gentle

Date:

1846

1: a Roman clan embracing the families of the same stock in the male line with the members having a common name and worshipping a common ancestor2: clan ; especially : a patrilineal clan3: a distinguishable group of related organisms