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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 20
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 20 |
If avuncular means of or like an uncle, is there a word which means of or like an aunt?
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
perhaps materteral from L matertera, maternal aunt http://members.aol.com/tsuwm/
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 20
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 20 |
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"?
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 112
member
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member
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 112 |
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
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
...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.htmhttp://members.aol.com/tsuwm/
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#1817
05/15/2000 11:25 AM
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 460
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addict
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 460 |
I don't run to the OED (in either sense of the word!), tsuwm, but 'materteral' isn't listed in my Shorter Oxford.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 20
stranger
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stranger
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 20 |
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
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Posts: 10,542 |
"... but 'materteral' isn't listed in my Shorter Oxford. " it would seem that the key word here is 'shorter'. 8-) http://members.aol.com/tsuwm/
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#1820
05/16/2000 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!
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2000
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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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#1822
05/17/2000 11:54 AM
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Thank you, shanks! I was using the term to differentiate my 'work' colleagues from my 'film society' colleagues, and hadn't realised it was a tautology. But my trusty Shorter Oxford confirms your comment. It's never to late to learn. Cheers to my 'word-a-day' colleagues. [grin]
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