avuncular
pronunciation
How to pronounce avuncular in British English:
UK [əˈvʌŋkjələ(r)]
How to pronounce avuncular in American English:
US [əˈvʌŋkjəlɚ]
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- Adjective:
- being or relating to an uncle
- like an uncle in kindness or indulgence
Word Origin
- 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]
Example
- 1. He adopted an avuncular tone of voice when giving advice to junior colleagues .
- 2. Arthur burns was an avuncular , pipe-smoking scholar .
- 3. " The secret police have several functions , my dear , he began in an avuncular tone "
- 4. His informality extends to signing himself off in e-mails with the avuncular nickname ' 'patchy ' ' .
- 5. Even the professorial ron paul , the indefatigable libertarian from texas , has abandoned his avuncular pose and decided that this is the time to slash at the gingrich jugular .