Consanguinity

/ˌkɒnsæŋˈɡwɪnɪti/ noun

Definition

The state of being related by blood; kinship or the relationship between people descended from the same ancestor.

Etymology

From Latin 'consanguinitas,' derived from 'consanguineus' (related by blood); the suffix '-ity' creates an abstract noun expressing the quality or state of blood relationship.

Kelly Says

Consanguinity is why lawyers and theologians in medieval and early modern Europe had such detailed charts of family relationships—the church banned marriage between people too closely related by consanguinity, which got complicated fast with all the cousins!

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