Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CLAN, n. [Ir. clann, or cland, children, posterity; a tribe, breed, generation, family. Erse, clan or klaan. Perhaps G. klein, small.]

1. A race; a family; a tribe. Hence, an association of persons under a chieftain. – Milton. Dryden.
2. In contempt, a sect, society, or body of persons closely united by some common interest or pursuit. – Swift. Note. In Russ. kolieno signifies a knee, and a family, race or tribe; Irish glun, the knee, and a generation.