avuncular

[uh-vuhng-kyuh-ler]

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adjective

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

Origin of avuncular

1825–35; < Latin avuncul(us) a mother's brother, equivalent to av(us) a forefather + *-ont- + *-l(os) diminutive suffix (cf. uncle) + -ar¹

Related formsa·vun·cu·lar·i·ty, nouna·vun·cu·lar·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for avuncular

helping, counseling, consultative, consultive, advising, recommending

Examples from the Web for avuncular

Contemporary Examples of avuncular

FDR gives an avuncular grin around his famous cigarette holder to Andrew Jackson.
The 100 Coolest Americans Gather at the National Portrait Gallery
William O’Connor
February 7, 2014
“You paid good money for this,” says the Vacuum Cleaner Guy (brilliantly played by an avuncular but ruthless Robert Forster).
‘Granite State,’ the Penultimate Episode of ‘Breaking Bad,’ Is Walter White’s Final Act
Andrew Romano
September 23, 2013
At precisely 11:00, NRA president David Keene plodded slowly to the podium, bespectacled, white haired, and avuncular.
The NRA: From Awful to Even Worse
Michelle Cottle
December 22, 2012
From Cairo, Ashraf Khalil reports on the clash between an aggressive Amr Moussa and avuncular Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh.
Moussa, Aboul Fotouh Spar in Egypt’s Epic First Presidential Debate
Ashraf Khalil
May 11, 2012
Even more polite than Jay, Brian Leveson gives off the avuncular air of a kindly head master.
Curtains for Murdoch
Peter Jukes
April 23, 2012

Historical Examples of avuncular

My secretary had been elevated to avuncular rank after a probation of just three hours.
The Right Stuff
Ian Hay
The bitterness of the avuncular factions was now intensified.
The Story of Paris
Thomas Okey
I do not wish to speak of Jennie in a fatherly or avuncular manner.
The Tower of Oblivion
Oliver Onions
You must write to me or I shall withdraw my avuncular relation to you.
The Letters of Ambrose Bierce
Ambrose Bierce
She liked his avuncular, slightly quizzical attitude to them.
Leonora
Arnold Bennett

British Dictionary definitions for avuncular

avuncular

adjective

of or concerned with an uncle

resembling an uncle; friendly; helpful

Word Origin for avuncular

C19: from Latin avunculus (maternal) uncle, diminutive of avus grandfather

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

Word Origin and History for avuncular

adj.

1789, from Latin avunculus "maternal uncle," diminutive of avus (see uncle) + -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]