a term of relation between the children of brothers and sisters, who in the first generation are called cousin-germans, in the second generation second-cousins, &c. If sprung from the relations of the father's side, they are denominated paternal cousins; if on the mother's, maternal.

The word is ordinarily derived from consanguineus; though Menage brings it from congenius, or congener, q. d. ex eodem genere.

In the primitive times, it was allowed cousin-germans to marry, to prevent their making alliances in heathen families; but Theodosius the Great prohibited it, under pain of death; on pretence that they were, in some sort, brothers and sisters with regard to each other.

Cousin (John), a celebrated French painter, who excelled in painting on glass. His picture of the Last Judgment, in the vestry of the Minims of the Wood of Vincennes, is much admired. He was also a good sculptor. He wrote several works on geometry and perspective; and died after the year 1689.