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| fam·i·ly [ fámməlee ] |
noun (plural fam·i·lies) |
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| Definition: |
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1. group of relatives: a group of people who are closely related by birth, marriage, or adoption
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2. people living together: a group of people living together and functioning as a single household, usually consisting of parents and their children
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3. lineage: all the people who are descended from a common ancestor
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4. offspring: a child or set of children born to somebody
  They're not ready to start a family.
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5. group with something in common: a group whose members are related in origin, characteristics, or occupation
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6. linguistics related languages: a group of languages that have a common origin
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7. biology set of related organisms: in taxonomic classification, a category of related organisms, comprising one or more genera
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8. mathematics related mathematical shapes or expressions: a set of related mathematical curves, surfaces, or functions, usually expressed as a single equation containing one or more parameters or arbitrary constants
a family of concentric circles
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9. chemistry
Same as series (sense 6)
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10. U.S. crime branch of Mafia: a branch of the Mafia or of a similar large criminal group
(
informal
)
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11. South Asia
Same as wife
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adjective |
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| Definition: |
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1. used by family: used, owned, or employed by a family, or suitable for one
the family car
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2. appropriate for children: suitable to be experienced by families with children
family viewing
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3. serving families: serving families and not just businesses or institutions
a family butcher
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| [15th century. < Latin familia "servants of a household, household, family" < famulus "servant"] |
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in the family way pregnant (informal dated)
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