Kith and kin
Definitions
family and friends
Referring to one's relatives and close friends collectivelyfamiliarity and closeness
Describing a close-knit or intimate group of people
Examples of Kith and kin
My grandmother's funeral was attended by a large gathering of kith and kin.
Kith means acquaintances or friends, while kin refers to one's close family members. In this example, it signifies that many of my grandmother's friends and family members came to the funeral.
After moving to a new city, Sarah was pleased to find that her new neighbors were very welcoming and quickly became part of her kith and kin.
In this scenario, 'kith and kin' refer to the social networks that one builds within a community. Here, Sarah's new neighbors were considered as acquaintances as well as relatives.
Natasha felt sorry for her cousin Emma as she had very few kith and kin after her move to a new state.
In this instance, 'kith and kin' is used to indicate that the person in question has limited social connections. Emma, due to her relocation, had fewer friends and family members, hence the phrase 'kith and kin' is used to express the idea that she has limited people close to her.
Rachel's family was overjoyed when she announced her engagement, as they would be proud to welcome her fiancé as part of their kith and kin.
In this context, 'kith and kin' refers to Rachel's existing family circle, who are happy to integrate Rachel's partner into their social network.
My mother introduced me to my kith and kin when we moved to a new city.
'Kith and kin' refers to one's close friends and family members. In this example, the speaker's mother helped her reconnect with her social circle in a new place.
It's been ages since I've seen my kith and kin.
This sentence illustrates the use of 'kith and kin' as a singluar noun, as if it were a single entity. The speaker is indicating that she hasn't seen all of her family and friends in a long time.
I'm throwing a big party for my kith and kin this weekend!
Here, 'kith and kin' is used as the object of a sentence, emphasizing the importance of the people on the list. This could mean that the speaker is inviting everyone she's close to, including family and friends.
I'm proud of the new job I got, and can't wait to share it with my kith and kin.
This example highlights 'kith and kin' as a synonym for 'social circle' within the context of sharing news. The speaker is basically saying that she is excited to tell her loved ones about her new job.
Conclusion
The idiom "kith and kin" is used to refer to both one's family and close friends, or to describe a close and familiar group of people. It emphasizes the importance of both blood relatives and close friendships in a person's life. This idiom can be used in everyday conversation, literature, and formal writing to convey the idea of a tight-knit and supportive social circle.Origin of "Kith and kin"
The phrase "kith and kin" dates back to Middle English, with "kith" meaning "native land" or "country" and "kin" referring to one's relatives. The combination of the two words has been used since the 14th century to encompass both family and friends. The idiom has its roots in the idea that one's homeland and family are closely connected and form an integral part of a person's identity. Over time, the phrase has evolved to represent the broader concept of close relationships and familiarity, beyond just geographical and familial ties. Its usage has persisted through the centuries, and it remains a commonly used expression in the English language.