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Antonyms for uncle


Grammar : Noun
Spell : uhng-kuh l
Phonetic Transcription : ˈʌŋ kəl



Definition of uncle

Origin :
  • late 13c., from Old French oncle, from Latin avunculus "mother's brother," literally "little grandfather," diminutive of avus "grandfather," from PIE root *awo- "grandfather, adult male relative other than one's father" (cf. Armenian hav "grandfather," Lithuanian avynas "maternal uncle," Old Church Slavonic uji "uncle," Welsh ewythr "uncle").
  • Replaced Old English eam (usually maternal; paternal uncle was fædera), which represents the Germanic form of the root (cf. Dutch oom, Old High German oheim "maternal uncle," German Ohm "uncle").
  • Also from French are German, Danish, Swedish onkel. First record of Dutch uncle (and his blunt, stern, benevolent advice) is from 1838; Welsh uncle (1747) was the first cousin of one's parent. To say uncle as a sign of submission in a fight is North American, attested from 1909, of uncertain signification.
  • As in man : noun male human
  • As in relative : noun member of a family
  • As in kinsman : noun relative
  • As in kinswoman : noun relative
Example sentences :
  • Uncle Peter stood in a flood of light at the door of his room.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • In the simpler phrasing of Uncle Peter Bines, he will "cut loose."
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • But Uncle Peter had already put in some hard winters, and was not wanting in fortitude.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • He was busy almost half an hour, while Uncle Peter smoked in silence.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • When he came out ten minutes later Uncle Peter was waiting for him alone.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Why, of course not, Uncle Peter; only I had to look around some at first,—for a year or so.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • He took his uncle up in his strong arms, and moved toward the stairs.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • You wouldn't turn out your sister's son, would you, Uncle Paul?
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • Uncle Peter had first declared that the thought of food sickened him.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • When he finished, he said, "Now tell me where you keep your vegetables, Uncle Paul?"
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger

Synonyms for uncle

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019