co-sister-in-law

From co- +‎ sister-in-law or co-sister +‎ -in-law.

co-sister-in-law (plural co-sisters-in-law)

1. One's spouse's sister-in-law, especially one's husband's brother's wife, one's brother's wife in relation to the spouses of his siblings; either of two (or more) women who are married to brothers, in relation to the other.
   • 1979, Paul Friedrich, editor, Language, Context, and the Imagination, page 193:

     [The Russian word] Yátrov', for the husband's brother's wife or co-sister-in-law, so diagnostic a status within the patrilocal household, has passed entirely out of the language.

   • 2006, Kalipatnam Rama Rao, translated by C.L.L. Jayaprada, Yagnam and Other Stories, page 61:

     At first the wench's second co-sister-in-law and the middle sister-in-law got into it.

2. One's brother-in-law or sister-in-law's sister; one's sibling's spouse's sister; either of two (or more) women whose siblings are married, in relation to the other.

Generally used in translation, or in countries such as India (Andhra Pradesh) where the local language makes the distinction. In common speech in traditionally English-speaking countries, sister-in-law may be used.

The primary usage is for one's husband's brother's wife.

• (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) co-sister
• (secondary sense): co-aunt (in relation to a common niece or nephew)

• co-sibling-in-law
• co-brother-in-law

• co-in-law
• co-mother-in-law
• co-wife

Languages which have words for this relationship which are distinct from the word for sister-in-law. Not all are attested to have the second meaning above, though this may sometimes be an oversight: