aristocratic family; hereditary house; family of specialists
Meanings
3 senses · 7 examplesnoun
aristocratic family; prominent clan holding high official positions for generations
neutralRefers to powerful families in feudal society with hereditary status and wealth.
He comes from an aristocratic family and received an excellent education from childhood.
This is a famous prominent clan in the area, with generations serving as officials.
noun
hereditary house biography (in Records of the Grand Historian)
formalOne of five biography styles in Sima Qian's Shiji, focusing on feudal lords and their hereditary lines.
The thirty Hereditary Houses in Records of the Grand Historian record the history of nobles from Zhou to early Han.
The Hereditary House of Confucius is a biography Sima Qian wrote for a famous clan.
noun
family of specialists; dynasty of professionals
neutralModern usage extending the concept to families excelling in specific fields like arts, sports, or medicine.
He comes from a swimming dynasty; both his parents are Olympic champions.
A pear garden hereditary house refers to families that pass down opera performing arts through generations.
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This medical family has produced three generations of famous doctors.