Family / B2

KLAN/klæn/

A clan is a group of families claiming a common ancestor, or an informal close group: a Highland clan; a clan of supporters. Tribe is a different term (already in the dictionary) — match the source. Name the clan as the source names it. Mix-up: clan vs class; Klan (US hate group — do not confuse). Do not write “a clan” if the extract says nation or house.

Meaning

A group of families claiming a common ancestor, or an informal close group.

Examples

• “Name the clan as the source names it; do not write “tribe” if the extract says clan.”
• “A clan of regulars featured in the oral-history tape, which is the informal-group sense.”

Good to know

a clan; clan chief / system. Match the source: tribe / house / nation. Trap: class / Klan. History, RS, and sociology. A kin group, not a random crowd.

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