Clan (klăn), n. [Gael. clann offspring, descendants; akin
to Ir. clann, cland,
offspring, tribe, family; perh. from L. plania scion, slip, cutting. Cf. Plant, n.]
1. 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.
2. 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.
Hear it pronounced