01 n. The collective body of persons who live in one house, and under one head or manager; a household, including parents, children, and servants…
pl.
Families ((#))
-
1.
The collective body of persons who live in one house, and under one head or manager; a household, including parents, children, and servants, and, as the case may be, lodgers or boarders.
-
2.
The group comprising a husband and wife and their dependent children, constituting a fundamental unit in the organization of society.“The welfare of the family underlies the welfare of society.” — H. Spencer.
-
3.
Those who descend from one common progenitor; a tribe, clan, or race; kindred; house; as, the human family; the family of Abraham; the father of a family.“Go ! and pretend your family is young.” — Pope.
-
4.
Course of descent; genealogy; line of ancestors; lineage.
-
5.
Honorable descent; noble or respectable stock; as, a man of family.
-
6.
A group of kindred or closely related individuals; as, a family of languages; a family of States; the chlorine family.
-
7.
A group of organisms, either animal or vegetable, related by certain points of resemblance in structure or development, more comprehensive than a genus, because it is usually based on fewer or less pronounced points of likeness. In Zoology a family is less comprehesive than an order; in botany it is often considered the same thing as an order.(Biol.)
Phrases & compounds
Family circle —
See under Circle.
Family man —
A man who has a family; esp., one who has a wife and children living with him and dependent upon him.
Family of curves —
a group of curves or surfaces derived from a single equation.
In a family way —
like one belonging to the family.
In the family way —
pregnant.