GENS

‖Gens (jĕnz), n.; pl. Gentes (jĕn″tēz). [[L. See Gentle, a.]] (Rom. Hist.) 1. 1. A clan or family connection, embracing several families of the same stock, who had a common name and certain common religious rites; a subdivision of the Roman curia or tribe.
2. 2. (Ethnol.) A minor subdivision of a tribe, among American aborigines. It includes those who have a common descent, and bear the same totem.