clan

1. in anthropology, a major social division of many traditional societies consisting of a group of families that claim common ancestry. Clans often prohibit marriage between members and are often associated with reverence for a particular totem. See also descent group; phratry.

2. in Scotland and Ireland, a kinship group and former social unit based on traditional patterns of land tenure and the concept of loyalty to a clan chief. Clan members often took the name of the supposed clan founder prefaced by Mac (Scotland) or O’ (Ireland) but were not necessarily linked by common ancestry.

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Psychology term of the day

March 16th 2025

imipramine

n. a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) with a tertiary amine molecular structure. It was originally synthesized in the hope of creating an effective antipsychotic but was observed to be ineffective in reducing psychotic symptoms. It did, however, seem to help individuals with severe depression and was subsequently marketed as an antidepressant. It is considered the prototype TCA, and like all tricyclic agents, its use as an antidepressant has been largely supplanted by less toxic drugs. It retains a therapeutic role as a sedative and adjunct in the management of neuromuscular or musculoskeletal pain. U.S. trade name: Tofranil.