Clan Definition
klăn
clans
noun
clans
An early form of social group, as in the Scottish Highlands, composed of several families claiming descent from a common ancestor, bearing the same family name, and following the same chieftain.
Webster's New World
In certain primitive societies, a tribal division, usually exogamous, of matrilineal or patrilineal descent from a common ancestor.
Webster's New World
A large group of relatives, friends, or associates.
American Heritage
A group of people with interests in common; clique; set.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Clan
Noun
Singular:
clan
Plural:
clansOrigin of Clan
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Middle English from Scottish Gaelic clann family from Old Irish cland offspring from Latin planta plant, sprout plat- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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From Scottish Gaelic clann (“progeny, race”), from Old Irish cland, from Old Welsh plant, from Latin planta (“shoot, offspring”).
From Wiktionary
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