6. A group of kindred or closely related individuals; as, a family of
languages; a family of States; the chlorine family.
7. (Biol.) A group of organisms, either animal or vegetable, related by
certain points of resemblance in structure or development, more
comprehensive than a genus, because it is usually based on fewer or
less pronounced points of likeness. In zoˆlogy a family is less
comprehesive than an order; in botany it is often considered the same
thing as an order.
Family circle. See under Circle. -- Family man. (a) A man who has a
family; esp., one who has a wife and children living with him andd
dependent upon him. (b) A man of domestic habits. "The Jews are
generally, when married, most exemplary family men." Mayhew. -- Family
of curves or surfaces (Geom.), a group of curves or surfaces derived
from a single equation. -- In a family way, like one belonging to the
family. "Why don't we ask him and his ladies to come over in a family
way, and dine with some other plain country gentlefolks?" Thackeray. --
In the family way, pregnant. [Colloq.]
Fam"ine (?), n. [F. famine, fr. L. fames hunger; cf. Gr.
&?;&?;&?;&?;&?; want, need, Skr. hni loss, lack, h to leave.] General
scarcity of food; dearth; a want of provisions; destitution. "Worn with
famine." Milton.
There was a famine in the land.
Gen. xxvi. 1.
Famine fever (Med.), typhus fever.
Fam"ish (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Famished (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Famishing.] [OE. famen; cf. OF. afamer, L. fames. See Famine, and cf.
Affamish.] 1. To starve, kill, or destroy with hunger. Shak.
2. To exhaust the strength or endurance of, by hunger; to distress with
hanger.
And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to
Pharaoh for bread.
Cen. xli. 55.
The pains of famished Tantalus he'll feel.
Dryden.
3. To kill, or to cause to suffer extremity, by deprivation or denial
of anything necessary.
And famish him of breath, if not of bread.
Milton.