(?), n.; pl. Families (#). [L. familia, fr. famulus servant; akin to Oscan famel servant, cf. faamat he dwells, Skr. dhman house, fr. dhto set, make, do: cf. F. famille. Cf. Do, v. t., Doom, Fact, Feat.] 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.
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2.
The group comprising a husband and wife and their dependent children, constituting a fundamental unit in the organization of society.
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-The welfare of the family underlies the welfare of society. H. Spencer.
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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.
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-Go ! and pretend your family is young. Pope.
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4.
Course of descent; genealogy; line of ancestors; lineage.
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5.
Honorable descent; noble or respectable stock; as, a man of family.
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6.
A group of kindred or closely related individuals; as, a family of languages; a family of States; the chlorine family.
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7. (Biol.)
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 zology a family is less comprehesive than an order; in botany it is often considered the same thing as an order.
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Family circle. See under Circle. -- Family man. (a) A man who has a family; esp., one who has a wife and children living with him and dependent upon him. (b) A man of domestic habits. The Jews are generally, when married, most exemplary family men. Mayhew. -- Family of curves
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