cousin Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the child of your aunt or uncle
    first cousin; cousin-german; full cousin.

WordNet


Cous"in noun
Etymology
F. cousin, LL. cosinus, cusinus, contr. from L. consobrinus the child of a mother's sister, cousin; con- + sobrinus a cousin by the mother's side, a form derived fr. soror (forsosor) sister. See Sister, and cf. Cozen, Coz.
Definitions
  1. One collaterally related more remotely than a brother or sister; especially, the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt. ✍ The children of brothers and sisters are usually denominated first cousins, or cousins-german. In the second generation, they are called second cousins. See Cater-cousin, and Quater-cousin.
    Thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son, A cousin-german to great Priam's seed. Shak.
  2. A title formerly given by a king to a nobleman, particularly to those of the council. In English writs, etc., issued by the crown, it signifies any earl.
    My noble lords and cousins, all, good morrow. Shak.
Cous"in noun
Definitions
  1. Allied; akin. Obs. Chaucer.

Webster 1913