second cousins

1 definition found

second cousins - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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]