second cousin

noun

1. a child of a first cousin of one's parent. Compare cousin ( def 1 ).

second cousin

noun

1. the child of a first cousin of either of one's parents

Word History and Origins

Origin of second cousin¹

First recorded in 1650–60

Idioms and Phrases

Something that is related or similar but not quite the same, as in This beef stew is second cousin to boeuf bourguignon . This expression transfers the literal sense of second cousin —that is, the child of the first cousin of one's mother or father—a usage dating from the mid-1600s.