The Collaborative International Dictionary
Cousin \Cous"in\ (k[u^]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 (for sosor) sister. See Sister, and cf. Cozen, Coz.]
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One collaterally related more remotely than a brother or sister; especially, the son or daughter of an uncle or aunt.
Note: 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. -
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.
Wiktionary
n. (cousin-german English)
Usage examples of "cousins-german".
Among the first the marriage of cousins-german ought to be regarded as contrary to nature.
But the prohibitions of the civil laws are accidental, because they depend on an accidental circumstance, cousins-german and others dwelling in the house by accident.
It was now the family of Hans himself, that is to say, his uncles, his cousins-german, who offered us hospitality.
No, we are the granddaughters of a duke, the daughters of a duke, the cousins-german of a duke, the sisters of a duke, the widows of a duke and the mothers of a duke!
For if the power of a father relates to a single government, that of brothers after the death of a father, and that of cousins-german after the decease of brothers, refer to a government of many.