Pronunciation: [kɒɡnˈɑːti] (IPA) 
The word "cognati" is spelled with a hard "g" and "n" sound, followed by a silent "a" and a "t" sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled as /kɒɡˈnæti/. This Latin word refers to blood relatives or kinsmen. It is composed of the prefix "co-" meaning "together" or "with," and "gnatus" which means "born" or "begotten." In English, this word may be used in genealogical research or to describe one's familial connections.
Cognati is a Latin term that refers to members of the same extended family or relatives who share a common lineage. The word "cognati" comes from the Latin word "cognatus," which means “blood relative” or “kinsman.” In traditional Roman and civil law, cognati specifically denotes those who are related by blood through a common ancestor, as opposed to those who are connected through marriage or adoption.
Cognati are often considered to have a stronger bond and connection due to their shared ancestry. They typically belong to the same kinship group or clan and may have obligations and responsibilities towards each other. In some cultures, the term cognati may also encompass distant family members or those belonging to different branches of the family tree, as long as they can trace their lineage back to a common ancestor.
The concept of cognati has played a significant role in various legal systems, especially in ancient Rome, where it determined inheritance rights and obligations. The Roman law of succession was based on the principle of agnatic cognation, which meant that inheritance was generally restricted to male relatives within the cognati group, such as sons, brothers, uncles, and cousins, while excluding female relatives and individuals from different kinship groups.
In contemporary usage, the term cognati is often employed in discussions of genealogy, family history, and social anthropology, particularly when examining kinship structures and familial relationships in different societies and cultures.
The word cognati has its roots in Latin. It derives from the Latin term cognati which means relatives or kinsmen. The word cognati is a plural form, whereas the singular form is cognatus in Latin. The Latin term cognatus is composed of two parts: co- meaning together or with and gnatus derived from gnatus which means born or related by blood.
