kinship-termsmeaning
I know what a descendant is. A’s children, grandchildren and greatn-grandchildren are all A’s descendants.
But what does direct descendant mean? It is as if some of those people are A’s direct descendants, but others are just his indirect descendants. Is direct redundant and only used as a rhetorical device?
The answer to the similar question you mention actually has your answer. No, there is no gender-neutral word for your parents' siblings.
From the answer:
This thread also mentions:
- that there is no encompassing word for aunt/uncle either
- that there is no male/female form of cousin.
- the article "There isn't a word for it":
Brothers widow = Sister-in-law
Maternal aunt's widow = Uncle
Uncle + Sister in Law.
Normally your uncle's children would be your 1st cousins, and your sister-in-law's kids would be your nieces or nephews.
My initial thought would be that those kids would technically be your first cousin and niece/nephew.
If your sister-in-law re-marries, she would no longer be your sister-in-law and instead would become an aunt I think.
However, the uncle is also an uncle by marriage so that too would be nullified by remarriage. So actually, I don't think the kids would be considered any relation to you at all. Certainly not by blood.
I admit that's something of a guess though, so happy to be proved wrong!
Also, here's a handy chart...
Best Answer
A direct descendent is someone who can trace their lineage by "child" relationships all the way back to the desired ancestor. A non-direct descendent has to go through a "cousin" or a "by marriage" or some other non-child relationship in order to find the desired ancestor.