kindred

1 of 2

adjective

kin·dred ˈkin-drəd

Synonyms of kindred next

: of a similar nature or character : like

a kindred spirit

: of the same ancestry

kindred tribes

kindred

2 of 2

noun

: a group of related individuals

: one's relatives

… if his kindred still remain to him …—

Alexis de Tocqueville

: family relationship : kinship

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Family—both ancestral and in spirit—is what puts the “kin” in kindred. This word comes from the Old English noun for “kinship,” cynrǣden, which combines cynn (meaning “kin”) and ræden, meaning “condition.” Kindred first entered English as a noun during the Middle Ages. That noun, which can refer to a group of related individuals or to one's own relatives, gave rise to the adjective kindred in the 14th century. Other words akin to kin include kinfolk (and kinsfolk), kinship, kinsman, and kinswoman.

Examples of kindred in a Sentence

Adjective philosophy, political theory, and kindred topics I believe she and I are kindred spirits. German and English are kindred languages. Noun He went out to sea, and never saw his kindred again. the kingdom's royal kindred actually numbers in the thousands

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Adjective

More:Milwaukee chef finds kindred souls at Riverwest community food center The Kinship Community Food Center aims to engage volunteers and residents to end hunger, isolation and poverty. —

Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024 Any leakage is carried by the color-neutral pion and kindred mesons. —

Aaron Shattuck, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2024

Noun

The French researchers, working with another team in Montreal, Canada, identified a specific problem mutation in this kindred. —

Markham Heid, Time, 6 Dec. 2022 Hellboy and his team face an underworld prince who plans to awaken a lethal army and use it to reclaim Earth for his magical kindred. —

Ed Stockly, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2021 See all Example Sentences for kindred

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

attributive use of kindred entry 2

Noun

Middle English kynrede "family, lineage, blood relations, kinship, nation," going back to late Old English cynrǣden "kinship" (attested once as kynrædan, accusative or dative), from cynn "progeny, kin entry 1" + -rǣden, suffixal use of rǣden "condition, stipulation," derivative (in -enn-, feminine noun suffix, going back to *inj-) probably from the base of gerǣde "prepared, ready," gerād "conditioned, disposed" — more at ready entry 1

Note: The noun rǣden, also attested in the senses "rule, direction" and "estimation," has been taken as a derivative of the verb rǣdan "to advise, deliberate, direct," etc. (see read entry 1), though these usages may reflect partial merger with rǣding, the verbal noun of rǣdan. In general, the outcomes of Germanic *raidja- and *rēd- can be difficult to separate in Old English.

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler

The first known use of kindred was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Kindred.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kindred. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

kindred

1 of 2 noun

kin·dred ˈkin-drəd

: a group of related individuals

: a person's relatives

kindred

2 of 2 adjective

: alike in nature or character

a kindred spirit

Medical Definition

kindred

noun

kin·dred ˈkin-drəd

: a group of related individuals : a genealogical group

incidence of cancer among members of a kindred

Last Updated: 27 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

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kindred

adjective

noun

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Synonyms

Examples of kindred in a Sentence

Word History

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Dictionary Entries Near kindred

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