consanguineous
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of consanguineous
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin consanguineus “related by blood, kindred; blood relation, kinsman,” equivalent to con- + sanguin- (stem of sanguis) “blood” + -eus adjective suffix. Consanguineous first occurs in Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (1602), and Shakespeare may have introduced the word into English. See con-, -eous
Explanation
To be consanguineous is to be related by blood. A mother and her biological child are consanguineous. Consanguineous comes from a Latin word meaning "of the same blood," and that's exactly what this word means. This word applies to everyone who is a blood relation: a mother and father are not consanguineous, but they are both consanguineous with their biological children. All the puppies or kittens in a litter are consanguineous. First cousins are consanguineous. An adopted child will not be consanguineous with anyone in his or her adoptive family.
Vocabulary lists containing consanguineous
Twelfth Night
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Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 4
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List 10
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Several children were the result of consanguineous marriages, in which the parents are related.
From Science Daily • Feb. 8, 2024
“Ninety percent of the cases I see are caused by consanguineous marriages,” says Ms Zaki.
From Economist • Feb. 25, 2016
With the pianist-brother's recent success, however, the consanguineous harmonies of the trio will no longer be heard.
From Time Magazine Archive
In eastern Africa, Sir R. Burton says: “The Somal will not marry one of the same, or even of a consanguineous family,” and the Bakalahari have the same rule.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 1 "Evangelical Church Conference" to "Fairbairn, Sir William" by Various
But, on the other hand, the dangers of continuous consanguineous reproduction are no less evident.
From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Forel, Auguste
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
