[f. as prec. + -SHIP.]
1. The relation of cousins; the fact of being (a person’s) cousin; kinship, relationship.
1570. Levins, Manip., 140/45. Cousinship, cognatio, affinitas.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. xi. 62. These are the brotherhoods and cousiningships [sic] of the worlde.
1636. Abp. J. Williams, Holy Table, 139. Opposers of our Liturgie, who brag of their Cosinship and Coheirship with Christ.
1833. T. Hook, Widow & Marquess, xii. His own cousin too; to be sure it was a cousinship far removed.
1865. Pall Mall Gaz., 19 Aug., 9/2. Are you within any assignable degree of cousinship to this young gentleman?
1871. M. Collins, Mrq. & Merch., I. iii. 120. There was an ancient lady,… who claimed cousinship with his wife in some way.
b. transf. and fig.
1853. T. T. Lynch, Self-Improvement, iv. 86. There will always be some cousinship between a man’s chosen work and his favourite recreation.
1880. Dk. Argyll, in Fraser’s Mag., Jan., 53. There is an obvious cousinship and correspondence between the great bulk of the species.
2. The action proper to a cousin; the fulfilment of a cousin’s part.
1856. Mrs. Browning, Aur. Leigh, IV. 329. I thank you for your generous cousinship.
1858. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., III. v. The lesser standing always under the express protection and as it were cousinship of the greater.
3. = COUSINHOOD 1.
1874. Motley, Barneveld, I. i. 98. Breaking up the mighty cousinship which … overshadowed Germany.
