- first cousins
- Cousin Cous"in (k[u^]z"'n), n. [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 (for sosor) sister. See
{Sister}, and cf. {Cozen}, {Coz}.]
1. One collaterally related more remotely than a brother or
sister; especially, the son or daughter of an uncle or
aunt.
[1913 Webster]
Note: 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}. [1913 Webster]
Thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son, A cousin-german to great Priam's seed. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
My noble lords and cousins, all, good morrow. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.