Definition

Noun A person who is the child of one's parent's first cousin. This means you and your second cousin share a pair of great-grandparents. You are not directly descended from each other's grandparents.

Usage

The term "second cousin" is used to specify a specific, non-immediate level of familial relationship. It is a precise genealogical term. * She discovered through a DNA test that her favorite colleague was actually her second cousin. * At the large family reunion, I met many second cousins I had never seen before. * Our mothers are first cousins, which makes us second cousins.

Advanced Usage

• The relationship is reciprocal: If person A is person B's second cousin, then person B is also person A's second cousin.
• The term is often confused with "first cousin once removed." A "first cousin once removed" is either the child of your first cousin OR the first cousin of your parent. A second cousin is on the same generational level as you.

Variants and Related Words

• First Cousin: The child of one's aunt or uncle. You share a pair of grandparents.
• Third Cousin: The child of one's parent's second cousin. You share a pair of great-great-grandparents.
• Cousin Once Removed: Indicates a one-generation difference in a cousin relationship (e.g., your parent's cousin or your cousin's child).
• Cousin-in-law: The spouse of one's cousin, or the cousin of one's spouse.

Synonyms

• Distant cousin (a less precise, more general term)
• Kinsman/Kinswoman (archaic or formal for a relative)

Related Phrases

• "Second cousin twice removed": This specifies a second cousin relationship with a two-generation gap. For example, the grandchild of your second cousin is your second cousin twice removed.

Noun

1. a child of a first cousin