kith

[kith]

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. acquaintances, friends, neighbors, or the like; persons living in the same general locality and forming a more or less cohesive group.

2. kindred.

3. a group of people living in the same area and forming a culture with a common language, customs, economy, etc., usually endogamous.

kith

/ kɪθ /

noun

1. one's friends and acquaintances (esp in the phrase kith and kin )

Word History and Origins

Origin of kith¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English cȳth, earlier cȳththu “kinship, knowledge,” equivalent to cūth couth ² + -thu -th ¹; akin to Gothic kunthi, German Kunde “knowledge”

Word History and Origins

Origin of kith¹

Old English cӯthth, from cūth; see _uncouth

Example Sentences

It was believed that if one killed a crane, its kith and kin would flock to the killer's home, hold vigil and mourn by collectively honking until the person went mad or even died.

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For his installation, “kith and kin,” Moore has drawn a family tree in chalk on the walls and ceiling of the Australia Pavilion.

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"I didn't want to see terrorists in government, their people have murdered our kith and kin over the years."

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It is us, kith and kin, born of human misadventure.

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On Monday Justice MR Shah said the "next of kith and kin of the deceased person" shall be paid this compensation within a month of applying.

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