cater-cousins

Noun

cater-cousin (plural cater-cousins)

1. (archaic) A person who, while not being a blood relation, is regarded as close enough to be called a cousin; a (very) close or good friend; a bosom friend.
   • His Maſter and he (ſauing your vvorſhips reuerence) are ſcarſe catercoſins.c. 1596–1598 (date written), W[illiam] Shakespeare, The Excellent History of the Merchant of Venice. […] (First Quarto), [London]: […] J[ames] Roberts [for Thomas Heyes], published 1600, →OCLC, [Act...

   Synonyms:

   bosom buddy, intimate

2. (figuratively) A thing which is closely associated with or related to another thing.
   • But he þᵗ [that] wil take his brothers parte against right, as to ratifie his brothers wrong deceyuing, he is to much natural, tanquam sequens ingenium siue inclinationem naturæ corruptæ contra voluntatem dei [as one following the disposition or inclination of the corrupt nature against the will of...a. 1556 (date written), Hugh Latimer, “A Frutefull Letter of Maister Latimer Written to a Certaine Gentilman”, in John Foxe, Actes and Monuments of These Latter and Perillous Dayes, […], London: […]...