noun
close relation; close association
Refers to a close relationship or connection, often used in formal or academic contexts such as biology (close kinship) or social ties.
この二つの種は近縁であることがDNA解析で示された。
DNA analysis showed that these two species are closely related.
両社は近縁の関係にある。
The two companies have a close relationship.
Compound of 近 (close) and 縁 (relation, connection). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji composition directly reflects the meaning.