cousin-german: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Archaic, Legal
Quick answer
What does “cousin-german” mean?
A first cousin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A first cousin; the child of one's aunt or uncle.
A person or thing closely related or similar to another. Historically, the term could also denote a full cousin without the degree of removal, emphasizing direct lineal descent from a common grandparent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic and rare in both varieties. No significant dialectal difference in usage.
Connotations
Connotes historical, genealogical, or legal precision. May be found in older literature, historical documents, or formal genealogical contexts.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, verging on obsolete in common speech.
Grammar
How to Use “cousin-german” in a Sentence
[person1] is [person2]'s cousin-german.They are cousins-german.A cousin-german to [someone].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cousin-german” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cousin-german relationship was clearly established in the pedigree.
American English
- He is my cousin-german relative on my mother's side.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Possibly found in historical, genealogical, or legal history texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare; 'first cousin' is the universal modern term.
Technical
Used in precise genealogical classification and historical legal documents regarding inheritance or lineage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cousin-german”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cousin-german”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cousin-german”
- Using it to mean a cousin from Germany.
- Hyphenating incorrectly (e.g., 'cousin german').
- Assuming it is in current common use.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The '-german' comes from the Latin 'germanus' (meaning 'full, own') and specifies the closeness of the cousin relationship, not nationality.
'Cousin' can be vague, covering many degrees of relation. 'Cousin-german' specifically means a first cousin—the child of your aunt or uncle.
It is extremely rare and considered archaic or technical. The common modern term is 'first cousin'.
The standard plural is 'cousins-german', where the main noun 'cousins' is pluralized.
A first cousin.
Cousin-german is usually formal, archaic, legal in register.
Cousin-german: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkʌz.ən ˈdʒɜː.mən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkʌz.ən ˈdʒɝː.mən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'German' sounds like 'germane', meaning 'relevant' or 'closely related'. A cousin-german is your most germane (closest) cousin.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOSENESS IS BLOOD PROXIMITY (The 'german' specifies unadulterated, full-blooded familial closeness).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the term 'cousin-german' today?