wealthy family; large clan; heavy user
Meanings
3 senses · 7 examplesnoun
wealthy and influential family (in old times)
archaicRefers to privileged families in feudal or traditional society.
He came from a prestigious wealthy family and lived a privileged life since childhood.
In the old society, wealthy families often bullied poorer households.
noun
large clan; extended family with many branches
Emphasizes the size and proliferation of family branches within a clan.
The Wang clan is the largest family in the village, with a flourishing population.
The Zhang family is a famous merchant clan locally, with business spread throughout the country.
noun
major player; heavy user; entity with large volume in a specific area
Modern usage in business, economics, and statistics to describe dominant consumers or producers.
This factory is a major power consumer locally, with monthly electricity bills reaching millions.
Alibaba is a major player in the e-commerce sector, with a market share far ahead of competitors.
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The major refrigerator manufacturer has hit another record high in production this year.