agnatus (ag-nay-t[schwa]s), n. [Latin] Roman law. A person related through the male line. Cf. COGNATUS. “[Agnati were] all individuals subject for the time being to the same patria potestas, or who would be so subject were the common ancestor alive. Brothers and sisters, with their uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and other colla-terals (not having been […]
in patria potestate (in pay-tree-[schwa] [orpa-tree-[schwa]] poh-tes-tay-tee). [Latin] Roman law. (Of a person) in the power of the father or a senior male ascendant; subject to patria potestas. • Uncles and brothers never had power over nephews or younger brothers. See patria potestas under POTESTAS; SUB POTESTATE. Cf. SUI JURIS.
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niece. The daughter of a person’s brother or sister; sometimes understood to include the daughter of a person’s brother-in-law or sister-in-law. • This term is extended in some wills to include a grandniece. Cf. NEPHEW. half niece. The daughter of one’s half brother or half sister.
A degree of relationship so close (as between brother and sister) that marriage between the persons is forbidden by law. • Generally, with slight variations from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, the law forbids marriages between all persons lineally related and within the third civil-law degree of relationship. That is, aunt–nephew and uncle–niece relations are prohibited. Prohibited
incest, n. 1. Sexual relations between family members or close relatives, including children related by adoption. • Incest was not a crime under English common law but was punished as an ecclesiastical offense. Modern statutes make it a felony. “Although incest under both English and American law is a distinct crime, its commission may involve
The relationship between persons who have the same ancestor but do not descend or ascend from one another (for example, uncle and nephew, cousins, etc.).
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consanguinity (kon-sang-gwin-[schwa]-tee), n. The relationship of persons of the same blood or origin. See prohibited degree under DEGREE. Cf. AFFINITY; AFFINITAS AFFINITATIS. [Cases: Incest 5; Marriage 10. C.J.S. Incest § 4; Marriage § 17.] — consanguineous, adj. “In the mode of computing the degrees of consanguinity, the civil law … begins with the intestate, and
Loosely, a blood relative who is not strictly a descendant, like a niece or nephew.
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linea (lin-ee-[schwa]), n. [Latin “line”] Hist. A line of descent. linea directa (lin-ee-[schwa] d[schwa]-rek-t[schwa]). [Latin “direct line”] Roman law. The relationship among persons in the direct line of ascent and descent, such as grandfather, father, and son. — Also termed linea recta. linea transversa (lin-ee-[schwa] trans-v[schwa]r-s-[schwa]). [Latin “transverse line”] Roman law. The relationship between persons