Sib

Pronunciation

• IPA: /sɪb/
• Rhymes: -ɪb

From Middle English sib, from Old English sibb ("related, akin, sib"), from Proto-Germanic *sibjaz ("related"), from Proto-Indo-European *sebÊ°-, *swebÊ°- ("one's own"). Cognate with West Frisian besibbe ("related"), Middle Dutch sibbe ("related"), Middle Low German sibbe ("related"), Middle High German sippe ("related"), Icelandic sifi ("related").

Full definition of sib

Adjective

1. Having kinship or relationship; related by same-bloodedness; having affinity; being akin; kindred.

From Middle English sib, sibbe, from Old English sibb ("relationship; gossip; friendliness, kindness; love, friendship, peace, concord, unity, tranquility; peace of mind; a relative, kinsman, kinswoman"), from Proto-Germanic *sibjō ("kinship"), from Proto-Indo-European *sebʰ-, *swebʰ- ("one's own"). Cognate with West Frisian sibbe ("relative, family member"), Dutch sibbe ("sib"), German Sippe ("tribe, clan"), Icelandic sifjar ("in-laws"), Latin suus ("one's own").

Noun

1. Kindred; kin; kinsmen; a body of persons related by blood in any degree.
2. A kinsman; a blood relation; a relative, near or remote; one closely allied to another; an intimate companion.
• 1980, Anthony Burgess, Earthly Powers:But she got up to go, and Domenico obeyed me too in mock meekness, making himself sib and coeval to Hortense, submissive to frowning elder brother, something incestuous in it.
3. A sibling, brother or sister (irrespective of gender)
4. (biology) Any group of animals or plants sharing a corresponding genetic relation
5. A group of individuals unilaterally descended from a single (real or postulated) common ancestor

Derived terms

• sibling
• sibred

Related terms

• gossip

From Middle English *sibben, *sibbien, from Old English sibbian ("to make peace; rejoice"), from Proto-Germanic *sibjōną ("to reconcile"), Proto-Indo-European *sebʰ-, *swebʰ- ("one's own"). Cognate with German sippen ("to be in relationship with, become related to").

Verb

1. (transitive) To bring into relation; establish a relationship between; make friendly; reconcile.

Anagrams

• IBS