Cous"in (kŭz"\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 fathers sisters son, A cousin-german to great Priams 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. Shak.

Cous"in , n. Allied; akin. [Obs.] Chaucer.

-- Webster's unabridged 1913