Legal Definitions - cognation

Definition: Cognation refers to a relationship between people who are related by blood, rather than by marriage. This means that they share a common ancestor, whether it is traced through males or females.

For example, two siblings who share the same parents have a cognate relationship. This is because they are related by blood and share a common ancestor.

In civil law, cognation can also refer to a relationship between two people who are related by blood, family, or both. This can include relationships created by adoption or other legal means.

Another example of cognation is a natural cognation, which refers to a blood relationship that arises from an illicit connection.

Cognation can also refer to a relationship between things that are of the same or similar nature, such as the cognation between different languages that share a common origin.

Overall, cognation is a term that describes relationships between people who share a common ancestor, as well as relationships between things that are of the same or similar nature.