consanguinity
Americannoun
-
relationship by descent from a common ancestor; kinship (affinity ).
-
close relationship or connection.
noun
-
relationship by blood; kinship
-
close affinity or connection
-
geology (of igneous rocks) similarity of origin, as shown by common mineral and chemical compositions and often texture
Other Word Forms
- consanguineous adjective
- consanguineously adverb
Etymology
Origin of consanguinity
1350–1400; Middle English consanguinite (< Anglo-French ) < Latin consanguinitās. See consanguineous, -ity
Explanation
The noun consanguinity means "relation by blood," so if you want to dazzle your brother, point out that consanguinity isn't the only reason you hang out with him — he's also a great guy! Consanguinity comes from the Latin com- "together" and sanguineus "of blood," which itself can be traced back even farther, to the early 14th century when the Old French word sanguin (fem. sanguine) meant "a type of red cloth." So blood gets its name from the vivid red color it matches, and consanguinity describes the people who, as family members, share the same blood.
Vocabulary lists containing consanguinity
The Declaration of Independence
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Declaration of Independence," Vocabulary from the historical document
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Declaration of Independence" by Thomas Jefferson
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The findings, now published in Genetics in Medicine OPEN, revealed a correlation between occurrences of complex genetic disorders in those families with increased levels of consanguinity when compared to unaffected populations.
From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2024
"In general terms, our studies have shown that the health risks attributed to consanguinity have been exaggerated."
From Salon • Sep. 11, 2022
And without that illusion of chosen consanguinity, the expositional creakiness of Mr. Crowley’s script is laid unflatteringly bare.
From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2018
Through fandom, he built a life, a family, and a community not around consanguinity, but around the heart.
From Slate • Jun. 30, 2012
“All this nonsense comes from the Dark Ages. We know now that most birth deformities result from the consanguinity of the parents.”
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
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.
