cater-cousin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Rare / ArchaicLiterary / Historical
Quick answer
What does “cater-cousin” mean?
A close or intimate friend (often used in a context where the relationship is not one of blood kinship).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A close or intimate friend (often used in a context where the relationship is not one of blood kinship).
Historically, it can also imply a close associate or a sworn friend; sometimes used ironically to denote a pretended or false friend.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic in both varieties. No significant contemporary difference.
Connotations
In both, it evokes a Shakespearean or early modern English context.
Frequency
Effectively zero in modern corpora for both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “cater-cousin” in a Sentence
to be cater-cousins with someoneto act as a cater-cousinVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or literary analysis.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cater-cousin”
- Using it in modern speech as a synonym for 'friend'.
- Confusing it with 'caterer' or 'cousin'.
- Misspelling as 'cater cousin' or 'catercousin'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term and is only encountered in historical texts or used for deliberate stylistic effect.
It functions exclusively as a countable noun.
It likely derives from the obsolete French 'quatier' (fourth), related to a fourth cousin, but the meaning shifted to denote closeness rather than precise familial degree.
Only for recognition if you read older English literature (e.g., Shakespeare). For active vocabulary, use 'close friend', 'confidant', or 'intimate' instead.
A close or intimate friend (often used in a context where the relationship is not one of blood kinship).
Cater-cousin is usually literary / historical in register.
Cater-cousin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪtə ˌkʌzn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkeɪt̬ɚ ˌkʌzn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common modern idioms. The term itself is idiomatic.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cat and its owner are like 'cater-cousins' — not related by blood but very close. Cat-er-cousin.
Conceptual Metaphor
FRIENDSHIP IS KINSHIP (extending the family metaphor to close non-relatives).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate description of 'cater-cousin' in contemporary English?