Cognate - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Cognate : adj
1: related in nature; "connate qualities" [syn: connate]
2: having the same ancestral language; "cognate languages"
3: related by blood [syn: akin(p), blood-related, consanguine, consanguineous, kin(p)] (noun)
1: one related by blood or origin; especially on sharing an ancestor with another [syn: blood relation, blood relative, sib]
2: a word is cognate with another if both derive from the same word in an ancestral language [syn: cognate word]

Based on WordNet 2.0

Cognate : \Cog"nate\, n. 1. (Law) One who is related to another on the female side. --Wharton.

2. One of a number of things allied in origin or nature; as, certain letters are cognates.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

Cognate : \Cog"nate\, a. [L. cognatus; co- _ gnatus, natus, p. p. of nasci, anciently gnasci, to be born. See Nation, and cf. Connate.] 1. Allied by blood; kindred by birth; specifically (Law), related on the mother's side.

2. Of the same or a similar nature; of the same family; proceeding from the same stock or root; allied; kindred; as, a cognate language.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)