Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

(klăn)

Noun.

[Gael.

clann

offspring, descendants; akin to Ir.

clann

cland

, offspring, tribe, family; perh. from L.

plania

scion, slip, cutting. Cf.

Noun.

]

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.

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.

, n.

A race; a family; a tribe. Hence, an association of persons under a chieftain.

In contempt, a sect, society, or body of persons closely united by some common interest or pursuit.

Note. In Russ. Kolieno signifies a knee, and a family, race or tribe. Irish glun, the knee, and a generation.