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#1812 05/01/00 02:12 PM
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If avuncular means of or like an uncle, is there a word which means of or like an aunt?



#1813 05/01/00 02:33 PM
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perhaps materteral

from L matertera, maternal aunt


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#1814 05/14/00 04:14 AM
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Yes, perhaps, that works, but I don't think "materteral" is an actual word. It is not in any of the dictionaries I've looked in. And "materteral" seems like it would only apply to a maternal aunt. I like it, it's a good try. But is there an "official" word that means "of or like an aunt"?


#1815 05/14/00 06:43 PM
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Webster's Collegiate dictionary shows "avuncular" as originating from the Latin for maternal uncle, so I'll agree with tswum. But the pronounciation of materteral is a little daunting to consider the word for everyday use ;o)

see: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?avuncular


#1816 05/14/00 06:48 PM
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...and I'd bet, dollars to donuts, that materteral is in the OED -- I must have confirmed it somewhere!
[would that be "official" enough?] <g>

whoa! speaking of Merriam-Webster, check this out!
http://www.m-w.com/wftw/99mar/030599.htm

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#1817 05/15/00 11:25 AM
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I don't run to the OED (in either sense of the word!), tsuwm, but 'materteral' isn't listed in my Shorter Oxford.


#1818 05/15/00 05:56 PM
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I've got Volume IX of the OED sitting on my lap as I write this.

Yes, "materteral - adj - characteristic of an aunt" is in here.

From Latin matertera, maternal aunt.

In the same entry it lists "materterine -adj" as meaning the same thing..

Now I suggest we start a new discussion about the phrase "dollars to donuts/doughnuts". (I'd never heard that one before.)

pieman


#1819 05/15/00 06:12 PM
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"... but 'materteral' isn't listed in my Shorter Oxford. "

it would seem that the key word here is 'shorter'.
8-)

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#1820 05/16/00 12:16 PM
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I agree, tsuwm, but when I retired my work colleagues could only afford a set of the 2-volume New Shorter Oxford which, with the help of my new friends in this wordlovers' community, I am now becoming much more familiar. Thanks to you all!


#1821 05/16/00 01:14 PM
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"work colleagues"?

Are there any other types of colleagues?

(Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

cheer

the sunshine warrior


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