If avuncular means of or like an uncle, is there a word which means of or like an aunt?
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"?
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
...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/
I don't run to the OED (in either sense of the word!), tsuwm, but 'materteral' isn't listed in my Shorter Oxford.
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
"... 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/
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!
"work colleagues"?
Are there any other types of colleagues?
(Sorry, couldn't help myself.)
cheer
the sunshine warrior
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]