Friday, October 30, 2009

What Does Familial Mean







What Does Familial Mean?


Familial is an adjective meaning "of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a family," as defined by Dictionary.com. It is a term that suggests a similarity or bonding that is intrinsic to a group of people.


Significance


Familial is a term that encompasses everything to do with the components of a family, from day-to-day responsibilities to longstanding traditions. For example, it is common for those living in the United States to share a familial Thanksgiving dinner on the fourth Thursday in November.


Other Uses








Since familial expresses an affinity or mutual fondness within a group of people, you can use it to emphasize the depth of other relationships. For example, "a familial office" conveys a warm and friendly work environment that is like a family.


Medical Significance


Familial is also a common medical term. MedlinePlus.gov defines a familial condition as one that "tends to occur more often in family members than expected by chance alone." A familial condition can be a biological inheritance through genetics, or it can be caused by environmental or lifestyle factors.

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