cousin

¹

[ kuhz-uhn ]

noun

1. Also called first cousin,. the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt. second cousin, removed ( def 2 ).
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. Vic·tor [veek-, tawr], 1792–1867, French philosopher and educational reformer: founder of the method of eclecticism in French philosophy.

cousin

¹

/ ˈkʌzən /

noun

1. Also calledfirst cousincousin-germanfull 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. CousinVictor17921867MFrenchPHILOSOPHY: philosopherEDUCATION: reformer Victor (viktɔr). 1792–1867, French philosopher and educational reformer

Derived Forms

• ˈcousinˌhood, noun
• ˈcousinly, adjectiveadverb

Other Words From

• cous·in·age cous·in·hood cous·in·ship noun

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

Their cousin sign, Aquarius, often shoulders the reputation of being the unicorn of the zodiac, but it is Sagittarius that is just as, and sometimes more so, elusive and audacious.

From Los Angeles Times

In the media interview in question, asked by a presenter for a Tottenham shirt, Bentancur replied: "Sonny's? It could be Sonny's cousin too as they all look the same."

From BBC

Where my children now run free with cousins after Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

From Los Angeles Times

Tori-Singh called the report “fake news” and said that her cousin was still missing.

From Los Angeles Times

In “A Real Pain,” cousins David and Benji — close since childhood but not quite brotherly — take a pilgrimage to Poland to see their late grandmother’s former home.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• relative