kith

plural kiths

1. archaicobsoleteuncountableusuallyFriends and acquaintances.

   Alack, would that Edward listened more to me and less to the queen’s kith! These Woodvilles!

   1843, Edward Bulwer[-]Lytton, The Last of the Barons, London; New York, N.Y.: George Routledge and Sons […], →OCLC

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   The demography-crossing thing that undergirds this election year, I think, is a strong, broad desire to punish Clinton and his kith with a denial of further power.

   2000 August 3, Michael Kelly, “New Hope For Nice Guys”, in Orlando Sentinel, archived from the original on 18 Jun 2013

2. Northern EnglandScotlandcountableusuallyrusticAn acquaintance or a friend.
3. countableuncountableusuallysocial workA person who is not related to a child but has social connections to the child's family, especially when considered as a caregiver or possible caregiver for the child.

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   The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (the society) seeks an order finding the child in need of protection and placing him in the care and custody of a kith, H.O., for a period of six months, subject to terms of supervision by the society. [Footnote:] ‘[K]ith’ refers to a community member such as a family friend or neighbour who agrees to provide care to a child until the child can safely return home.

   2024 May 14, W. Kapurura, “Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Toronto v. A.M., 2024 ONCJ 235”, in CanLII, retrieved 30 May 2026