cousin

¹

[kuhz-uhn]

noun

1. Also called full cousin. Also called first cousin. the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt.

2. one related by descent in a diverging line from a known common ancestor, as from one's grandparent or from one's father's or mother's sister or brother.

3. a kinsman or kinswoman; relative.

4. a person or thing related to another by similar natures, languages, geographical proximity, etc..

   Our Canadian cousins are a friendly people.

5. Slang.,  a gullible, innocent person who is easily duped or taken advantage of.

6. a term of address used by a sovereign in speaking, writing, or referring to another sovereign or a high-ranking noble.

Cousin

²

[koo-zan]

noun

1. Victor 1792–1867, French philosopher and educational reformer: founder of the method of eclecticism in French philosophy.

cousin

¹

/ ˈkʌzən /

noun

1. Also called: first cousin.  cousin-german.  full cousin. the child of one's aunt or uncle

2. a relative who has descended from one of one's common ancestors. A person's second cousin is the child of one of his parents' first cousins. A person's third cousin is the child of one of his parents' second cousins. A first cousin once removed (or loosely second cousin ) is the child of one's first cousin

3. a member of a group related by race, ancestry, interests, etc

   our Australian cousins

4. a title used by a sovereign when addressing another sovereign or a nobleman

Cousin

²

/ kuzɛ̃ /

noun

1. Victor (viktɔr). 1792–1867, French philosopher and educational reformer

Other Word Forms

• cousinage noun
• cousinhood noun
• cousinship noun
• cousinly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cousin¹

1250–1300; Middle English cosin < Anglo-French co ( u ) sin, Old French cosin < Latin consōbrīnus cousin (properly, son of one's mother's sister), equivalent to con- con- + sōbrīnus second cousin (presumably originally “pertaining to the sister”) < *swesrīnos, equivalent to *swesr-, gradational variant of *swesōr (> soror sister ) + *-īnos -ine ¹; for -sr- > -br- December

Word History and Origins

Origin of cousin¹

C13: from Old French cosin, from Latin consōbrīnus cousin, from sōbrīnus cousin on the mother's side; related to soror sister

Idioms and Phrases

see country cousin; first cousin; kissing cousins; second cousin.

Example Sentences

In the many years that Jane Goodall observed and studied chimpanzees, she revolutionised our understanding of our closest primate cousins.

From BBC

Lushious now sees the upcoming Queerce as a chance to celebrate the quinceañera she never had and to fully own who she is — this time, without having to steal her cousin’s spotlight.

From Los Angeles Times

CP first wrote the story about his cousin 12 years ago but says he’s only recently started performing it on stage.

From Los Angeles Times

He’s meeting a Portsmouth ship arriving from India bearing his second cousin, Angela and — a surprise to Lenox — her lifelong friend and companion, an Indian girl named Sari.

From Los Angeles Times

PWR teams, like their men's cousins, do not make money.

From BBC

Related Words

• relative