Definition

1. Adjective:
   • (Anthropology) Related by marriage: Describes a connection or relationship between individuals or groups that exists solely because of a marriage bond, rather than through blood (consanguineal) ties.

Usage

• The adjective "affinal" is used specifically in anthropological, sociological, or formal contexts to describe kinship ties created through marriage.
• It typically modifies nouns like "kin," "relatives," "relationship," "ties," or "obligations."
• It is the adjectival form of the noun "affinity."

Examples

• After their wedding, he gained a large network of affinal relatives, including brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
• In many cultures, affinal obligations, such as those to one's in-laws, are taken very seriously.
• The study compared the strength of bonds between consanguineal (blood) and affinal (marriage) kin in the community.

Advanced Usage

• Affinal kinship: A system or network of relationships based on marriage.
  • Anthropologists often map both consanguineal and affinal kinship to understand social structure.
• Used in contrast to "consanguineal" (related by blood) and "fictive" (chosen, non-biological) kinship.

Variants and Related Words

• Affinity (n): The relationship created by marriage; a natural liking or connection.
  • There was a strong affinity between her and her new mother-in-law.
• Affinally (adv): In a manner related by marriage.
  • The two families were connected affinally.

Synonyms

• Related by marriage
• Connate (in the specific sense of allied by nature or marriage; less common)

Notes

• "Affinal" is a technical term. In everyday English, phrases like "related by marriage," "in-laws," or "marital relatives" are more common.
• Do not confuse with "affine," which is a related noun or adjective in mathematics and geometry, though it shares the same Latin root (, meaning "bordering on, related").

Adjective

1. (anthropology) related by marriage