CLAN

clan. Clan, n. a family, race, sect, set, despicable body

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Clan (klăn), n. [[Gael. clann offspring, descendants; akin to Ir. clann, cland, offspring, tribe, family; perh. from L. plania scion, slip, cutting. Cf. Plant, n.]] 1. 1. A tribe or collection of families, united under a chieftain, regarded as having the same common ancestor, and bearing the same surname; as, the clan of Macdonald. “I have marshaled my clan.” Campbell.
2. 2. A clique; a sect, society, or body of persons; esp., a body of persons united by some common interest or pursuit; — sometimes used contemptuously.
Partidge and the rest of his clan may hoot me. Smolett. The whole clan of the enlightened among us. Burke.