Kin, n.
Etymology: [OE. kin, cun, AS. cynn kin, kind, race, people; akin to cennan to beget, D. kunne sex, OS. & OHG. kunni kin, race, Icel. kyn, Goth. kuni, G. & D. kind a child, L. genus kind, race, L. gignere to beget, Gr. jan to beget. Kind, King, Gender kind, Nation.]
1. Relationship, consanguinity, or affinity; connection by birth or marriage; kindred; near connection or alliance, as of those having common descent.
2. Relatives; persons of the same family or race. The father, mother, and the kinbeside. Dryden. You are of kin, and so a friend to their persons. Bacon.
3 other Webster entries under this spelling
kin (.
A diminutive suffix; as, manikin; lambkin.
Kin, n. (Mus.)
A primitive Chinese instrument of the cittern kind, with from five to twenty-five silken strings. Riemann.
Kin, a.
Of the same nature or kind; kinder. "Kin to the king." Shak.
Shades of meaning
Kind is broader than kin, denoting the most general relationship, as of the whole human species in mankind, humankind, etc.; kin and kindred denote direct relationship that can be traced through either blood or marriage, preferably the former; either of these words may signify collectively all persons of the same blood or members of the same family, relatives or relations. Affinity is relationship by marriage, consanguinity is relationship by blood. There are no true antonyms of kin or kindred, except those made by negatives, since strangers, aliens, foreigners, and foes may still be kin or kindred.