Definition

Noun: 1. Line of descent, lineage: A group of people considered as a unit because they are all directly descended, through generations, from a common ancestor.

Usage

The term "family line" is used to trace ancestry and heritage over many generations. It emphasizes the direct line of descent from a single progenitor or ancestral couple. - It is often used in historical, genealogical, or formal contexts. - It can refer to the continuation of a surname, genetic traits, or social standing.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Her family line can be traced back to the Norman conquest of England.
  • He is the last male in his direct family line.
  • The estate has been passed down through the same family line for over three centuries.

Advanced Usage

• "to continue/carry on the family line": To have children, especially sons in traditional contexts, to ensure the surname and lineage continue into the next generation.
  • As the only son, he felt great pressure to carry on the family line.

Variants and Related Words

• Lineage (n): Direct descent from an ancestor; ancestry or pedigree.
  • She is proud of her royal lineage.
• Ancestry (n): One's family or ethnic descent over many generations.
  • He researched his Irish ancestry.
• Descent (n): The origin or background of a person in terms of family or nationality.
  • She is of Italian descent.
• Bloodline (n): A direct line of descent; a family of animals or people considered to be of good pedigree.
  • The racehorse comes from a champion bloodline.

Synonyms

• Line
• Line of descent
• Genealogy
• Stock
• Progeny (when referring to descendants collectively)

Antonyms

• There is no direct antonym for a line of people. Concepts opposed to the idea of lineage include:
  • Unrelatedness: The state of having no family connection.
  • Discontinuity: A break in the line of descent.

Noun

1. people descended from a common ancestor
   • his family has lived in Massachusetts since the Mayflower