cousinry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicFormal / Archaic / Literary
Quick answer
What does “cousinry” mean?
A collective term for one's cousins as a group.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A collective term for one's cousins as a group; all of one's cousins considered together.
The state or condition of being cousins; kinship or relationship between cousins. Can also refer to the broader social network or extended family circle formed by one's cousins.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant contemporary regional differences exist due to its extreme rarity. Historically, it might have appeared in formal or legal contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, if used, it carries a formal, archaic, or deliberately old-fashioned tone. It may sound whimsical or pretentious in modern speech.
Frequency
Effectively obsolete in everyday language in both the UK and US. Might be encountered in historical novels, legal genealogies, or as a stylistic choice.
Grammar
How to Use “cousinry” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] cousinry gathered for the reunion.He addressed the assembled cousinry.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cousinry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form exists]
American English
- [No verb form exists]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form exists]
American English
- [No adverb form exists]
adjective
British English
- [No direct adjective form. 'Cousinly' is unrelated.]
American English
- [No direct adjective form. 'Cousinly' is unrelated.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Potentially in historical, genealogical, or anthropological texts discussing kinship structures.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be marked as highly unusual.
Technical
Rarely in technical genealogy or legal history referring to collective groups of collateral relatives.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cousinry”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cousinry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cousinry”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'I have three cousinries').
- Using it in modern, casual conversation where it sounds unnatural.
- Confusing it with 'cousinhood' or 'cousinship' (which are also rare but focus more on the state of being a cousin).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and considered archaic or literary. In modern English, people simply say 'my cousins' or 'all my cousins'.
It is not recommended, as it will sound very old-fashioned, formal, or possibly pretentious. It is better used only in specific stylistic or historical contexts.
'Cousinry' is a collective noun for the group. 'Cousinship' (also rare) refers to the state or condition of being a cousin, i.e., the relationship itself.
Yes, similar archaic collective formations exist, such as 'brotherhood' (for brothers/members), but few are as specific. Most modern collective terms are simpler, like 'siblings'.
A collective term for one's cousins as a group.
Cousinry is usually formal / archaic / literary in register.
Cousinry: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌzənri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌzənri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms exist for this rare word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'cousin' + the ending '-ry' as in 'jewelry' (a collection of jewels) or 'poetry' (a collection of poems). So, 'cousinry' is a collection of cousins.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAMILY IS A NETWORK/COLLECTIVE (The cousinry forms a wide net of relations).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate definition of 'cousinry'?