avunculate

American

[uh-vuhng-kyuh-lit, -leyt] / əˈvʌŋ kyə lɪt, -ˌleɪt /

noun

Anthropology.

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

avunculate British

/ əˈvʌŋkjʊlɪt /

noun

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

"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

adjective

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

Etymology

Origin of avunculate

1915–20; < Latin avuncul ( us ) uncle ( see avuncular) + -ate ³

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It may also be a patruate-group and an avunculate group.

From The Siouan Indians by McGee, W. J. (William John)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023