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.
⇒ 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.
© Webster 1913.
Cous"in, n.
Allied; akin.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
© Webster 1913.