sibling
UK: ˈsɪblɪŋ | US: ˈsɪblɪŋ
n. a brother or sister (typically used in contexts where gender is unspecified or irrelevant).
sibling = sib<related by blood> + ling<diminutive or descendant suffix>
- sib: From Old English sibb, meaning "kinship, relationship, peace." The root implies a bond of blood or affinity.
- ling: A suffix of Old English origin, often denoting someone connected to or descended from a particular trait (e.g., darling = dear + ling).
Etymology Origin:
The word sibling originates from Old English sibb, which broadly meant "kinship" or "harmony." Over time, sib evolved to specifically denote blood relations, while the suffix -ling (common in Old English) was added to form sibling, emphasizing the idea of "one connected by kinship." The term fell out of everyday use in Middle English but was revived in modern anthropology and genetics to neutrally describe brothers and sisters.
She has three siblings: two brothers and a sister.
The study compared the academic performance of twins and non-twin siblings.
Sibling rivalry is common in many families.
He shares a close bond with his siblings despite their age differences.
In some cultures, the term sibling extends to cousins or other close relatives.