kith
/kɪθ
/noun (in phrase kith and kin or kith or kin)
One’s relations: a widow without kith or kin...
- About 70 families turned up for the event along with their kith and kin to exchange their greetings and their cherished memories.
- She has brought light in the lives of unfortunate children, most of who have been abandoned by their kith and kin.
- Our last meal in Paris which was bittersweet - it's hard to leave since it's been such a fun trip - but we all miss kith and kin and our own beds in our own homes and will be glad to regain them.
Origin
Old English cȳthth, of Germanic origin; related to couth. The original senses were 'knowledge', 'one's native land', and 'friends and neighbours'. The phrase kith and kin originally denoted one's country and relatives; later one's friends and relatives.