Pronunciation: [kˈʌzən] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "cousin" can be a bit tricky. It is pronounced /ˈkʌzən/ (KUH-zin) and its spelling reflects the way it is pronounced, with the "o" and "u" separated by the consonant "s". "Cousin" is a noun that refers to a relative in one's extended family. It is often used to refer to someone who is the child of one's aunt or uncle, or a relative who is not a sibling, parent, or grandparent.
A cousin is a relative who is in the same generation as oneself and has at least one common ancestor with them. Specifically, a cousin is a child of one's aunt or uncle or a person who shares a common grandparent. Cousins are generally considered to be members of one's extended family, and they often hold a special place in one's personal life.
Cousins can be classified into different types based on their degree of relationship. First cousins share a pair of grandparents and are children of one's parents' siblings. Second cousins share great-grandparents and are the children of one's grandparents' cousins. The degree of separation increases as the number of shared ancestors decreases. For example, third cousins share great-great-grandparents, and so on.
The bond between cousins can vary widely depending on cultural and individual factors, but they often share unique childhood memories, family traditions, and experiences. Cousins can be close friends and confidants, providing emotional support and companionship throughout life. Additionally, cousins often share similarities in terms of physical appearance, personality traits, and genetic predispositions due to shared ancestry.
Overall, cousins play an important role in one's family dynamics and connections. They can bring joy, camaraderie, and a sense of belonging to an individual's life while contributing to the heritage and continuity of their shared family history.
The son or daughter of an uncle or aunt; any relation more distant than a brother or sister; title of address used by a king to his nobles.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cousin" originates from the Old French term "cosin", which was derived from the Latin word "consobrinus". In Latin, "consobrinus" referred to a maternal cousin, but during the Middle Ages, the meaning expanded to include both maternal and paternal cousins. The term further evolved to "cousin" in Middle English and has been used to describe a relative in the same extended family ever since.
