kinsman

[ kinz-muhn ]

noun

, plural kins·men.

1. a blood relative, especially a male.
2. a relative by marriage.
3. a person of the same nationality or ethnic group.

kinsman

/ ˈkɪnzmən /

noun

1. a blood relation or a relation by marriage
2. a member of the same race, tribe, or ethnic stock

Derived Forms

• ˈkinsˌwoman, noun:feminine

Word History and Origins

Origin of kinsman¹

First recorded in 1100–50, kinsman is from late Old English cinnes man. See kin, 's ¹, man

Example Sentences

He instructs his Blackwood ally to take his enemy's children hostage and put their unarmed kinsmen to the sword to force their allegiance.

From Salon

On the southern side of the town, residents from the Luo community largely back their ethnic kinsman and veteran opposition presidential hopeful Raila Odinga.

From Reuters

They then decided to make distinctive marks on their cheeks, "akin to the ones their animals had, which would help them in identifying their kinsmen during battles", Mr Makkuwana says.

From BBC

The many characters in “The Books of Jacob” allow for describing Jacob Frank through the words of others, both his enemies and kinsmen.

From Seattle Times

When Mr. Anderson entered the chapel, which was used as a courtroom to hold all 63 defendants, he shook his head and tried to imagine how his kinsman must have felt in that moment.

From New York Times