Legal Definitions - cognate

Definition: A cognate is a person who is related to another person through blood or marriage.

In Roman law, the term "cognate" refers to a blood relationship that comes from a lawful marriage. In Scots and later civil law, the term implies kinship from the mother's side. It is the opposite of agnate, which refers to kinship from the father's side.

Example: John and Mary are cognates because they are siblings and share the same parents.

Explanation: John and Mary are related by blood because they have the same parents. Therefore, they are cognates.

Example: In Roman law, a cognate would be a person who is related to another person through a lawful marriage.

Explanation: In Roman law, the term "cognate" refers to a blood relationship that comes from a lawful marriage. Therefore, a cognate would be someone who is related to another person through a lawful marriage.