n. 1 (also first cousin, cousin-german) the child of one's uncle or aunt. 2 (usu. in pl.) applied to the people of kindred races or nations (our American cousins). 3 hist. a title formerly used by a sovereign in addressing another sovereign or a noble of his or her own country. second cousin a child of one's parent's first cousin. cousinhood n. cousinly adj. cousinship n.
[ ME f. OF cosin, cusin, f. L consobrinus mother's sister's child ]