Cousin
['kʌz(ə)n] or ['kʌzn]
Definition
(n.) One collaterally related more remotely than a brother or sister; especially, the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt.
(n.) 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.
(n.) Allied; akin.
Edited by Laurence
Definition
n. formerly a kinsman generally; now the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt: a term used by a sovereign in addressing another or to one of his own noblemen: something kindred or related to another.—ns. Cous′in-ger′man a first cousin: something closely related; Cous′inhood Cous′inship.—adj. Cous′inly like or having the relation of a cousin.—n. Cous′inry cousins collectively.—First cousins children of brothers and sisters—also called Cousins-german Full cousins; First cousin once removed the son or daughter of a cousin-german—sometimes loosely called Second cousin; Second cousins the children of first cousins.
Inputed by Barbara
Unserious Contents or Definition
Dreaming of one's cousin, denotes disappointments and afflictions. Saddened lives are predicted by this dream. To dream of an affectionate correspondence with one's cousin, denotes a fatal rupture between families.
Editor: Pierre
Examples
- This second cousin was a Middlemarch mercer of polite manners and superfluous aspirates. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- Gives it that his cousin is out of town. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- And there must be no letter-scribbling to your cousin Hortense--no intercourse whatever. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Is appealed to, at the fish stage of the banquet, by Veneering, on the disputed question whether his cousin Lord Snigsworth is in or out of town? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- He had been too fond of his cousin to like to confess this to himself, until the truth had been forced on him, when she drove off to her aunt's. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Oh, my dear good Esther, said Ada, if I could only make up my mind to speak to you and my cousin John when you are together! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Tis a cousin of Miss Vye's, come to take Charley's place from curiosity. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- My cousin Thomasin. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Well, cousin, said Miss Ophelia, thoughtfully, there may be some truth in this. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- But Mr. Bruff reminded me that somebody must put my cousin's legacy into my cousin's hands--and that I might as well do it as anybody else. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Mrs. Strong had declined to play, on the ground of not feeling very well; and her cousin Maldon had excused himself because he had some packing to do. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- MY DEAR COUSIN, I cannot describe to you the uneasiness we have all felt concerning your health. Mary Shelley. Frankenstein_Or_The Modern Prometheus.
- The aunt brought her up, and she and the cousin have been like sisters. Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell. North and South.
- Miss Price, will not you join me in encouraging your cousin? Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- Even cousins may be sorry to part; and in truth I am very, very sorry, Richard, though I know it's for your welfare. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Her Ladyship kept her room when the ladies from the Rectory visited their cousins at the Hall. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Bedroom candlesticks bristle on the distant table by the door, and cousins yawn on ottomans. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I happened to ride back with my cousins and the groom. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Mr. Franklin snatched a morsel from the luncheon-table, and rode off to Frizinghall--to escort his cousins, as he told my lady. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Of my relations with my two cousins you are ignorant. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- She was civil, kind, attentive even to her cousins; but still she usually had little to say to them. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- But if I had mine, glancing at the cousins, there should be no brambles of sordid realities in such a path as that. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- My cousins have been so plaguing me! Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- These private considerations, combined with political reasons, fixed his resolution of separating the cousins. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- She cried bitterly over this reflection when her uncle was gone; and her cousins, on seeing her with red eyes, set her down as a hypocrite. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- Volumnia is away next day, and all the cousins are scattered before dinner. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- I had better tell _you_ than my aunt, she said, or than my cousins, or my uncle. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Mary, she is not like her cousins; but I think I shall not ask in vain. Jane Austen. Mansfield Park.
- We agreed that we were to be cousins, and nothing more. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
Editor: Meredith