sept
- 01 C2 Proficiency
a group of families who share the same ancestor, especially in Irish history.
a branch of a clan or a group of families claiming descent from a common progenitor, used primarily in an Irish or Scottish historical context.
Simple“The O'Brien sept was one of the most powerful families in the region.”
In context“Historians have traced the migration of the various septs that comprised the larger clan, noting how land disputes often fractured these ancestral bonds.”
UsageOften used in historical or genealogical writing.
Teacher's tipThis is a very specific term for history or genealogy; students should use 'clan' or 'family branch' in general conversation.
“The House of Commons isn’t scheduled to sit until Sept 21.”
“The Prime Minister said starting Sept.8, there would be new dollar for dollar tariff supplied to American goods.”