Emily Dickinson Lexicon

kinsman (kinsmen), n. [ME cunnes, genitive of kin.]

1. Fellow saints; children of God; siblings in the gospel of Christ; [fig.] martyrs.
2. Family member; blood relative; kin by marriage; [fig.] spouse.
3. Kind; variety; genus; closely related species.
4. Neighbor; companion; close associate; fellow citizen.
5. Friend; close acquaintance; [kenning “Kinsmen of the Shelf”] books; authors; story characters.
6. Folk; [fig.] mourners; grieving loved ones.
7. Fellow creature; [fig.] worm; animate being in nature.
8. Associate; [fig.] contiguous entity; inanimate being in nature.