CLAN, noun 1. A race; a family; a tribe. Hence, an association of persons under a chieftain. 2. 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.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI