Avunculate
/əˈvʌŋkjʊlət/noun
Relating to an uncle, especially the role or relationship of an uncle in kinship systems.
Did you know?Avunculate comes from Latin avunculus, a maternal uncle, and anthropologists even use the term for societies where an uncle’s role can outrank the father’s in raising a child.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂ewh₂-
“a maternal uncle or maternal relative”
Latin
Latin
avunculus
“maternal uncle; also a familiar or affectionate uncle”
Late Latin
Latin
avunculātus
“the relationship or office of an uncle”
18th Century
English
avunculate
“the position, influence, or relationship of an uncle”
Modern English
English
avunculate
“relating to an uncle or to uncle-like kinship”