cognate
UK: ˈkɒɡneɪt | US: ˈkɑːɡneɪt
adj. related by blood or origin; descended from a common ancestor
adj. (linguistics) derived from the same root or historical source
n. a word or language related to another by derivation or descent
The word "cognate" originates from Latin cognatus, combining co- (meaning "together") and gnatus (a variant of natus, meaning "born"). The root gn- reflects the Proto-Indo-European ǵenh₁- ("to produce, beget"), linking to concepts of kinship and shared origin. Over time, it expanded from familial relations to linguistic connections, emphasizing shared ancestry in both bloodlines and language evolution.
English and German are cognate languages, both descending from Proto-Germanic.
The words "mother" (English) and "Mutter" (German) are cognates.
Their research revealed cognate traditions in distant cultures.
Spanish "noche" and Italian "notte" are cognate terms for "night."
The lawyer argued the cognate rights of the heirs.