[a. F. consanguinité, ad. L. consanguinitāt-em blood-relationship, f. consanguine-us (cf. prec.) or its elements: see -TY.]
1. The condition of being of the same blood; relationship by descent from a common ancestor; blood-relationship. (Opposed to affinity, i.e., relationship by marriage.)
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 95. Whanne a man haþ weddid a womman sibbe to him in degree of consanguinyte or kyn … forboden in holy writt.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VII. vii. 197. For of consangwinyte The thryd and thryd þai ware in gre.
1589. Warner, Alb. Eng. (1612), 341. Ignorant are we not … of thy Consanguinitie with the Troians.
1606. Shaks., Tr. & Cr., IV. ii. 103. I haue forgot my Father: I know no touch of consanguinitie.
1751. Smollett, Per. Pic. (1779), I. xxxiii. 294. Duties of affection and consanguinity.
1855. Milman, Lat. Chr. (1864), VI. XI. v. 443. He inhibited the marriage as within the fourth degree of consanguinity.
1882. A. Macfarlane, Consanguinity, 1. A notation capable of denoting any relationship of consanguinity or affinity.
b. transf. Of plants: Generic or specific affinity.
a. 1682. Sir T. Browne, Tracts (1684), 46. The nearer consanguinity there is between the cyons and the stock the readier comprehension is made, and the nobler fructification.
† 2. collect. Blood-relations, kin. Obs. rare.
[1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., B iij b. In writing to any of your affinitie or consanguinitie.]
1705. Rowe, Biter, II. i. What if I did marry … the Pastry-Cook’s Daughter, I didn’t marry all her Scoundrel Consanguinity, I hope.
3. fig. Oneness of nature; relationship, affinity.
1651. C. Cartwright, Cert. Relig., I. 112. The consanguinity of doctrine.
1777. Johnson, Lett. to Mrs. Thrale, 27 Oct. Such is the consanguinity of our intellects.
1862. H. Spencer, First Princ., II. xv. § 124. Between the painted window, the prayer-book on which its light falls, and the adjacent monument, there is consanguinity.
