Consanguinity: meaning, definitions and examples

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consanguinity

 

[ ˌkɒnsæŋˈɡwɪnɪti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

family relationship

Consanguinity refers to the property of being blood relatives. It indicates a degree of genetic relatedness between individuals who share a common ancestor. This concept is often used in legal contexts, genealogical research, and discussions about genetic diseases.

Synonyms

blood relationship, kinship, lineage, relatedness

Examples of usage

  • The consanguinity between the siblings is evident in their similar traits.
  • In many cultures, consanguinity is a crucial factor in marriage customs.
  • The medical study focused on the effects of consanguinity on hereditary conditions.
  • A degree of consanguinity can influence the genetic diversity of a population.
  • Consanguinity can complicate family trees, especially in smaller communities.

Translations

Translations of the word "consanguinity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 consanguinidade

🇮🇳 रक्त संबंधता

🇩🇪 Blutsverwandtschaft

🇮🇩 kekerabatan darah

🇺🇦 кровна спорідненість

🇵🇱 pokrewieństwo

🇯🇵 血縁関係

🇫🇷 consanguinité

🇪🇸 consanguinidad

🇹🇷 kan bağı

🇰🇷 혈연관계

🇸🇦 قرابة دموية

🇨🇿 příbuzenský vztah

🇸🇰 príbuzenský vzťah

🇨🇳 血缘关系

🇸🇮 krvno sorodstvo

🇮🇸 blóðtengsl

🇰🇿 қандық туыстық

🇬🇪 სისხლის ნათესაობა

🇦🇿 qan bağlılığı

🇲🇽 consanguinidad

Word origin

The term 'consanguinity' originates from the Latin word 'consanguinitas', which derives from 'con-' meaning 'with' and 'sanguis' meaning 'blood'. This reflects the essence of the term, indicating a blood relationship. The concept has been recognized since ancient times, both in Roman law and various cultures, as the understanding of familial connections and their implications on marriage and inheritance has evolved. In anthropology and genetics, consanguinity plays a significant role in studying populations and their health outcomes. It was initially used to identify relationships for record-keeping and legal purposes, especially concerning inheritance rights and social structures. Over time, its application expanded to various fields, including genetics, where it is crucial for understanding genetic disorders that may arise from inbreeding within tightly knit communities.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,549, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.