Lesson 4: Familes

Descendant (noun)

An individual or animal coming from a specific ancestor; offspring of a certain family or group.

Related Words: Descend (verb), Descent (noun)

Example: John claims to be a descendant of George Washington

Generation (noun)

a. All of the offspring that are at the same stage of descent from a common ancestor. b. A group of people who grow up at the same time and are thought to have similar ideas.

Related Words: Generate (verb) Generational (adjective)

Example: Three generations of McCleary women were represented at the party—Alice, Alice’s mother, and Alice’s grandmother

Inheritance (noun)

a. The act of receiving property or Monty after the death of a relative or friend. b. The property of money received at such a time. c. A characteristic, such as red hair, that is received genetically from a parent, grandparent, etc

Related Words: Inherit (verb) and Inheritor (noun)

Example: Esther received a large inheritance after her grandmother’s death

Lineage (noun)

a. Direct descent from a particular ancestor; ancestry. b. All all of the descendants of a common ancestor

Related Word: Lineal (adjective)

Example: The horse had an impressive lineage, which began with the thoroughbred champion Thunder

Maternal (adjective)

a.Referring to a mother or motherhood: maternal concern. b. Inherited from one’s mother: maternal trait. c. Related to one’s mother

Related Word: Maternally (adverb)

Example: Baby-sitting brought out the maternal side of Joan’s personality

Matriarch (noun)

A woman who rules a family or clan

Related Words: Matriarchal (adjective) and matriarchy (noun)

Example: Because she is a strong leader, Grandma Jessie is the matriarch it the Hobart Family

Parental (adjective)

Characteristic of a mother or father

Related Words: Parent (noun) and Parentally (adverb)

Patriarch (noun)

a. The male leader of a family or clan. b. A very old and respected man

Related Words: Patriarchal (adjective) and Patriarchy (noun)

Example: At family reunions, Uncle Charlie is the acknowledge patriarch

Posterity (noun)

a. Future generations. b. All of a person’s descendants.]

Example: The famous artist will leave many paintings to posterity

Siblings (noun)

1 of 2+ children of the same parents; a brother or a sister

Example: Siblings often resemble one another physically