Cuzzy

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Definitions

1. A person you know well and feel comfortable with, often used as a term of affection or camaraderie
2. Someone regarded as a close companion or buddy, typically addressed informally to show familiarity
3. A familiar acquaintance or friend, addressed in a casual and friendly manner

Etymology: "Cuzzy" is a casual, affectionate word for a cousin, built from "cous," a shortened form of "cousin," with the diminutive ending "-y" added on. The same pattern appears in other familiar pet forms of family terms, where a clipped root takes "-y" to sound warmer and more intimate. It is the kind of word that signals closeness, often used among relatives who are as close as siblings.