relative; relation by blood or marriage
Refers to a person who is connected by family ties, either by blood or by marriage. Often used in contexts discussing family connections or kinship.
He is a distant relative of mine.
Relatives gathered to hold a memorial service.
Compound of 縁 (en, 'fate, connection') and 続き (tsuzuki, 'continuation, connection'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word literally suggests a continuing bond.