avuncular

avuncular
avuncular (adj.) 1789, from L. avunculus "maternal uncle," dim. of avus (see UNCLE (Cf. uncle)) + -AR (Cf. -ar). Used humorously for "of a pawnbroker" (uncle was slang for "pawnbroker" from c.1600 through 19c.).
My only good suit is at present under the avuncular protection. ["Fraser's Magazine," 1832]

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Avuncular — A*vun cu*lar, a. [L. avunculus uncle.] Of or pertaining to an uncle. [1913 Webster] In these rare instances, the law of pedigree, whether direct or avuncular, gives way. I. Taylor. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • avuncular — adj. 2 g. Que vem dos tios …   Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa

  • avuncular — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ like an uncle in being friendly towards a younger person. ORIGIN from Latin avunculus maternal uncle …   English terms dictionary

  • avuncular — [ə vuŋ′kyo͞o lər] adj. [< L avunculus, maternal uncle, dim. of avus, ancestor (see ATAVISM) + AR] 1. of an uncle 2. having traits considered typical of uncles; jolly, indulgent, stodgy, etc …   English World dictionary

  • avuncular — [[t]əvʌ̱ŋkjʊlə(r)[/t]] ADJ GRADED: usu ADJ n An avuncular man or a man with avuncular behaviour is friendly and helpful towards someone younger. [FORMAL] he began to talk in his most gentle and avuncular manner …   English dictionary

  • avuncular — adjective /əˈvʌŋkjʊlə,əˈvʌŋkjʊlɚ/ a) In the manner of an uncle, pertaining to an uncle. 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. b)… …   Wiktionary

  • avuncular — adjective Etymology: Latin avunculus maternal uncle more at uncle Date: 1831 1. of or relating to an uncle 2. suggestive of an uncle especially in kindliness or geniality < avuncular indulgence > • avuncularity …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • avuncular — avuncularity, n. avuncularly, adv. /euh vung kyeuh leuhr/, adj. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of an uncle: avuncular affection. [1825 35; < L avuncul(us) a mother s brother, equiv. to av(us) a forefather + * ont + * l(os) dim. suffix (cf.… …   Universalium

  • avuncular — a|vun|cu|lar [əˈvʌŋkjulə US ər] adj [Date: 1800 1900; : Latin; Origin: avunculus; UNCLE] behaving in a kind and nice way to someone who is younger, rather like an uncle ▪ an avuncular pat on the shoulder …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • avuncular — a|vun|cu|lar [ ə vʌŋkjələr ] adjective an avuncular man is kind and helpful to younger or less experienced people …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”