What does "cognate" mean?

Cognate: Of the same or a similar nature; of the same family; proceeding from the same stock or root; allied; kindred; as, a cognate language.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(Law) One who is related to another on the female side. Wharton.
  2. 3.One of a number of things allied in origin or nature; as, certain letters are cognates.

Sources