fəˈmilēə, -lyə noun
( plural famili·ae -lēˌē, -lēˌī)
Etymology: Latin — more at family
1. Roman law : the paterfamilias, his legitimate descendants and their wives, and all persons adopted into his family and their wives — compare potestas
2. Old English law
a. : the servants of one master
b. : a quantity of land adequate for the maintenance of one family