— cousinage, cousinhood, cousinship , n.
/kuz"euhn/ , n.
1. Also called first cousin, full cousin, cousin-german . the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt.
2. one related by descent in a diverging line from a known common ancestor, as from one's grandparent or from one's father's or mother's sister or brother.
3. a kinsman or kinswoman; relative.
4. a person or thing related to another by similar natures, languages, geographical proximity, etc.: Our Canadian cousins are a friendly people.
5. Slang. a gullible, innocent person who is easily duped or taken advantage of.
6. a term of address used by a sovereign in speaking, writing, or referring to another sovereign or a high-ranking noble.
[ 1250-1300; ME cosin co ( u ) sin, OF cosin consobrinus cousin (properly, son of one's mother's sister), equiv. to con- CON- + sobrinus second cousin (presumably orig. "pertaining to the sister") swesrinos, equiv. to * swesr-, gradational var. of * swesor ( > soror SISTER) + * -inos -INE 1 ; for -sr- > -br- cf. DECEMBER ]