Cousin \Cous"in\ (k?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 (forsosor) 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.
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.
Thou art, great lord, my father's sister's son, A
cousin-german to great Priam's seed. --Shak.
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.
My noble lords and cousins, all, good morrow.
--Shak.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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