avunculate

[ uh-vuhng-kyuh-lit, -leyt ]

nounAnthropology.
  1. a close social relationship between a maternal uncle and his nephew.

Origin of avunculate

1
1915–20; <Latin avuncul(us) uncle (see avuncular) + -ate3

Words Nearby avunculate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for avunculate

avunculate

/ (əˈvʌŋkjʊlɪt) /


noun
  1. the custom in some societies of assigning rights and duties to a maternal uncle concerning his sister's son

adjective
  1. of, relating to, or governed by this custom

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012