adj. & n.
adj. 1 related to or descended from a common ancestor (cf. AGNATE). 2 Philol. (of a word) having the same linguistic family or derivation (as another); representing the same original word or root (e.g. English father, German Vater, Latin pater).
n. 1 a relative. 2 a cognate word. cognate object Gram. an object that is related in origin and sense to the verb governing it (as in live a good life). cognately adv. cognateness n.
[ L cognatus (as CO-, natus born) ]