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Glite Dictionary
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family relationship 🔗 Close connection
cousinship

cousinship

7.5
A close similarity between groups or things that come from the same origin
  • noun
  • /ˈkʌzɪnˌʃɪp/
translation icon : afinidad
  • Some scientists argue for a cousinship between whales and hippos based on genetic evidence.

Examples

  • Their cousinship has grown stronger over the years.

  • There is a certain cousinship between Spanish and Italian, as both languages evolved from Latin.

  • The two artists shared a creative cousinship that was evident in their similar styles.

  • The cousinship between Sarah and Emily is evident.

  • The cousinship between the two families has strengthened over the years through shared traditions.

  • Many feel a sense of cousinship with their fellow countrymen during national celebrations.

  • The cousinship between various species in the animal kingdom illustrates the interconnectedness of life.

Synonyms

relationship
vscousinship
239 1.6

A family connection by blood, marriage, or adoption

is more figurative and can mean resemblance or shared origin, not only legal ties
similarity
vscousinship
157 2.7

A likeness between things that makes them seem related

narrows that idea to close relation, resemblance, or shared origin often figuratively
resemblance
vscousinship
105 3.0

A likeness in how two people or things look

stresses deeper connection or common origin rather than surface likeness
kinship
vscousinship
16 4.0

A strong feeling of connection between people or groups who share similar interests

is about close likeness or shared origin often used figuratively rather than just interest
affinity
vscousinship
  • Specialized
7 7.0

A strong connection between molecules or proteins in science

is similar but more general and often used figuratively beyond technical contexts
relatedness
vscousinship
2 5.5

How closely people or things connect to each other

adds the idea of close resemblance or common origin rather than mere connection
homology
vscousinship
  • Specialized
2 9.8

Similarity in body parts or genes because different animals share an ancestor

is less technical and more about close likeness or shared background broadly
familial bond
vscousinship
1 3.5

A close feeling between people who are related

is broader, including resemblance or shared origin beyond strict family ties
connaturality
vscousinship
  • Formal
9.9

A natural closeness between people or things that share the same qualities

includes natural origin but also covers looser figurative resemblance
mutual resemblance
vscousinship
4.4

People or things that seem very similar to each other

can mean that likeness but also emphasises shared origin or figurative kinship
alikeness
vscousinship
6.8

The fact of being similar in how something looks or behaves

adds a sense of close relation or shared origin beyond simple likeness

Surface Forms

cousinship singular
cousinships plural

Morphology

cousinship = cousin (semi-transparent) = cousin + ship

The figurative extension to mean general resemblance or close relation is a metaphorical shift from the literal kinship sense, so the relation is recognisable but not fully literal.

Etymology

Cousinship is often used in a looser, figurative way and it helps to remember this by thinking of a cousin as a relative who is 'like family but not the same'. The word joins cousin and -ship, so saying two things have cousinship means they have a 'family-like connection' or a shared origin or style.