Avuncular
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /əˈvʌŋkjʊlə/
- US IPA: /əˈvʌŋkjʊlɚ/
Origin
From Latin avunculus ("maternal uncle").
Full definition of avuncular
Adjective
avuncular
- In the manner of an uncle, pertaining to an uncle.
- 1997, David Nokes, Jane Austen: A Life:Both uncle Frank and uncle Stephen Austen had made it a point of principle to be rigorously unsentimental in the discharge of their avuncular obligations.
- (by extension) Kind, genial, benevolent, or tolerant.
- 2003, Vicki Croke, "New leader of the MSPCA moves to tame budget woes," Boston Globe, September 20:Thornton's reputation was that of a soft-hearted and avuncular veterinarian known for getting teary-eyed while listening to even slightly sentimental stories.
- 1987, William Schneider, "The New Shape of American Politics," The Atlantic, January:A man with such a nice, avuncular personality would not blow up the world.
Coordinate terms
- maternal – mother
- materteral – aunt
- paternal – father