Cousin

The son or daughter of the brother or sister of one's father or mother. The issue, respectively, of two brothers or two sisters, or of a brother and a sister. Those whc descend from the brother or sister of the father of the person spoken of are called "paternal cousins." "Maternal cousins" are those who are descended from the brothers or sisters of the mother. See 2 Brown, Ch. 125; 1 Sim. & S. 301; 3 Russ. 140; 9 Sim. 386, 457.

The son or daughter of the brother or sister of one's father or mother. The issue, respectively, of two brothers, or two sisters, or of a brother and a sister. Those who descend from the brother or sister of the father of the person are called paternal cousins; maternal cousins are those who are descended from the brothers or sisters of the mother. The word is still applied in Devonshire to a nephew. 1 Ves. Jr. 142.

Kindred in the fourth degree, being the issue (male or female) of the brother or sister of one's father or mother. Those who descend from the brother or sister of the father of the person spoken of are called "paternal cousins;" "maternal cousins" are those who are descended from the brothers or sisters of the mother. Cousins-german are first cousins. Sanderson v. Bayley, 4 Myl. & O. 59. In English writs, commissions, and other formal instruments issued by the crown, the word signifies any peer of the degree of an earl. The appellation is as ancient as the reign of Henry IV., who, being related or allied to every earl then in the kingdom, acknowledged that conneotion in all his letters and public acts; from which the use has descended to his successors, though the reason has long ago failed. Mozley & Whitley.

— First cousins. Cousins-german; the children of one's uncle or aunt. Sanderson v. Bay-ley, 4 Mylne & C. 59.

— Second cousins. Persons who are related to each other by descending from the same great-grandfather or greatgrandmother. The children of one's first cousins are his second cousins. These are sometimes called "first cousins once removed." Slade v. Fooks, 9 Sim. 387; Corporation of Bridgnorth v. Collins, 15 Sim. 54l.

— Quater cousin. Properly, a cousin in the fourth degree ; but the term has come to express any remote degree of relationship, and even to bear an ironical signification in which it denotes a very trifling degree of intimacy and regard. Often corrupted into "cater" cousin.

A kinsman or blood relation. Applied in the old books to a brother, 8isf.er or uncle,

Kindred in the fourth degree, being the issue (male or female) of the brother or sister of one’s father or mother. Those who descend from the brother or sister of the father of the person spoken of are called “paternal cousins,” “maternal cousins” are those who are descended from the brothers or sisters of the mother. In English writs, commissions, and other formal instruments issued by the crown, the word siguifles any peer of the degree of anearl, The appellation is as ancient as the reign of Henry 1V., who, being related or allied to every earl then in the kingdom, acknowledged that connection in all his letters and publie acts; from which the usa has descended to his successors, though the reason has long ago failed, Mozley & Whitley.

[Fr. cosin; L. Lat. consanguineus.] A kinsman or blood relation. Applied in the old books to a brother, sister, or uncle. Litt. sect. 108, 123, 389. Co. Litt. 80 b, 81 b. Cousin and heir, (abbreviated cous. et heir,) is an expression of frequent occurrence. Hubback's Evid. of Success. 686. In Devonshire the word is still used to signify a nephew. 1 Vesey Jr. 78. Hubback, 427, note.