cousin
/'kʌzn/
Definition
- Noun:
- A relative: A cousin is the child of one's aunt or uncle. This person shares a common grandparent with you but is not your sibling.
- A person or thing related by common features or origins: In a broader, often metaphorical sense, cousin can refer to something that is similar or analogous to another thing.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Family Relation):
- My cousin is coming to visit us this summer.
- She has three cousins on her mother's side of the family.
- Noun (Metaphorical Similarity):
- The English word "liberty" and the French word "liberté" are linguistic cousins.
- The cheetah is a close cousin to other big cats like lions and leopards.
Advanced Usage
- "First cousin": A child of one's aunt or uncle. This is the most common and direct type of cousin.
- He is my first cousin; our mothers are sisters.
- "Second cousin": A child of one's parent's first cousin. You share great-grandparents.
- We are second cousins, so our family connection is a bit more distant.
- "Cousin once/twice removed": Indicates a difference in generations. "Once removed" means one generation apart (e.g., your parent's cousin is your cousin once removed; your cousin's child is also your cousin once removed).
- My father's cousin is my first cousin once removed.
- "Kissing cousin" (idiomatic): A distant relative or a close friend who is treated like family.
- We're not really related, but our families are so close we're like kissing cousins.
Variants and Related Words
- Cousinly (adj): Characteristic of or suitable for a cousin; friendly and familial.
- She gave him a cousinly hug.
- Cousinhood / Cousinship (n): The state of being cousins; the relationship between cousins.
- Their strong cousinship was evident in how they supported each other.
Synonyms
- Kin / Kinsman / Kinswoman: A more general term for a blood relative.
- Relative: A person connected by blood or marriage.
Related Phrases
- "To call cousins with someone" (archaic): To claim or acknowledge a familial relationship with someone.
- He was eager to call cousins with the noble family.
Related Idioms
- "Country cousin": A relative from a rural area, often implying they are unsophisticated compared to city dwellers.
- He felt like a country cousin visiting the bustling capital for the first time.
- "Everybody and his cousin" (informal): A very large number of people; everybody.
- It seemed like everybody and his cousin was at the concert.
Noun
-
the child of your aunt or uncle
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