genre (as zhanre)

[Fr., from Lat. genus (gen it. generis ) =a cla , a kind.] Art: A term applied to pictures of life and manners, which, for want of a definite character, are chin, bench; go, gem; thin, this; genterise cla ed together as of a certain genre or kind. Under this title are comprised the grave episodes of life, which are to history what a single scene is to a drama, or a lyric to an epic poem. Also comic pictures of all kinds. The principal genre pictures consist of scenes of every-day life, and may be cla ified. In taking for its subject the events of daily life, genre -painting avoids religious themes as high and lasting, as well as historical subjects, which, though transitory, ought never to appear so. All the pa ing events of life, its characters and aims, offer fitting subject for genre -painting. ( Fairholt .) gěnş ( pl. gěn-tēş), s. [Lat.] Rom. Antiq .: A cla or house, the individuals composing which were termed in reference to each other, Gentiles . Each gens was made up of a certain number of branches or families ( familia ), and each familia was composed of individual members. Several gentes made up the curise and tribes. The members of each gens bore a common name, as the Fabian gens , the Julian gens , ., and were united by certain common religious rites.