An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A group of entities with similar properties and common origin.

→ family of curves, → family of distributions, → family of sets, → comet family.

Etymology (EN): From L. familia “household, the slaves of a household,” from famulus “servant,” of unknown origin.

Etymology (PE): Xânevâdé “family,” from xâné “house, home, houshold”

• vâdé “root, foundation, origin.” Xâné, from Mid.Pers. xânak, xân, xôn; cf. L. cunae “cradle;” Gk. kome “village;” Pers. Aftari dialect kiye “house, home;” PIE base *kei- “bed; to lie, to settle; beloved” (other cognates: P.Gmc. *khaim-; O.E. ham “dwelling, house, village;” E. home; Ger. Heim; L. civis “townsman;” Fr. cité; E. city; Skt. śiva- “auspicious, dear”).