avuncular - Definitions from Dictionary.com

6 results for: avuncular

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

a·vun·cu·lar

Audio Help [uh-vuhng-kyuh-ler] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

of, pertaining to, or characteristic of an uncle: avuncular affection.

[Origin: 1825–35; < L avuncul(us) a mother's brother, equiv. to av(us) a forefather + *-ont- + *-l(os) dim. suffix (cf. uncle) + -ar¹

]

—Related forms

a·vun·cu·lar·i·ty, noun

a·vun·cu·lar·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
avuncular

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

a·vun·cu·lar Audio Help (ə-vŭng'kyə-lər) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Of or having to do with an uncle.
Regarded as characteristic of an uncle, especially in benevolence or tolerance.

[From Latin avunculus, maternal uncle; see awo- in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
avuncular

1831, from L. avunculus "maternal uncle," dim. of avus (see uncle). Used humorously for "of a pawnbroker" (uncle was slang for "pawnbroker").

"My only good suit is at present under the avuncular protection." ["Fraser's Magazine," 1832]

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

avuncular
adjective
1.	resembling a uncle in kindness or indulgence
2.	being or relating to an uncle

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Avuncular

A*vun"cu*lar\, a. [L. avunculus uncle.] Of or pertaining to an uncle.

In these rare instances, the law of pedigree, whether direct or avuncular, gives way. --I. Taylor.

Dictionary.com Word of the Day Archive - Cite This Source - Share This

avuncular

avuncular was Word of the Day on March 12, 2001.

Dictionary.com Word of the Day

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