ozzz2002
Star Poster
Reged: Dec 03 2001
Posts: 10893
Loc: Sydney
NSW Australia
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I have been challenged to find the feminine version of the word 'avuncular', which means 'relating to an uncle'. Does anyone know if such a word exists, and if so, what it is?
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The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not smashing it.
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JuniorTheJaws
Forum Champion
Reged: Sep 09 2001
Posts: 5398
Loc: South Philadelphia PA USA
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Found this link, that may help you Greg:
http://www.lunisea.com/school/archives/00000255.html
"06/13/2004 Posted @ 11:05 PM PD/ST: "Now I Know the Answer"
Write to the Editor
and I don't like it, but the English language being what it is ... For years I've wondered what the feminine form of "avuncular" is. If avuncular is to be "like an uncle," what is the word for being "like an aunt?"
The Columbia Guide to Standard English has this answer ... there is no feminine version.
Harumph!"
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Agnes (JTJ)
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Agnes (JTJ)
"Whoever said, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend", never had a dog." --Anonymous
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TabbyTom
Forum Champion
Reged: Oct 17 2001
Posts: 6093
Loc: Hastings Sussex England UK
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The Oxford English Dictionary has materteral and materterine, both derived from the Latin matertera (maternal aunt), and described as "humorously pedantic"; for "characterstic of an aunt". There are two quotations : With maternal and materteral anxiety (1823) and A kindly materterine message (1874).
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Dilige et quod vis fac
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JuniorTheJaws
Forum Champion
Reged: Sep 09 2001
Posts: 5398
Loc: South Philadelphia PA USA
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Hold on Greg! Found this!
Aunt - Wiktionary - Your grandparent's sister or brother's wife (also known as a great aunt or grandaunt). ... obasan); Latin: amita (paternal aunt), matertera (maternal aunt)
And this
Latin: amita (paternal aunt), matertera (maternal aunt)
Noun
amita f
Paternal aunt
nominative plural and genitive singular amitae
genitive plural amitarum
Retrieved from "http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Amita"
matertera (nominative plural and genitive singular materterae)
genitive plural materterarum)
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Agnes (JTJ)
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Agnes (JTJ)
"Whoever said, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend", never had a dog." --Anonymous
Edited by JuniorTheJaws (Wed Jun 29 2005 08:22 AM)
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ozzz2002
Star Poster
Reged: Dec 03 2001
Posts: 10893
Loc: Sydney
NSW Australia
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Wow! Thanks, lady and gent!
Once again, FT members show their fettle...
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fjohn
Multiloquent
Reged: Dec 06 1999
Posts: 2712
Loc: Wyoming USA Way Out West
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Why don't you coin a new word, "avauntular." Or is that too close to 'avaunt,' meaning to begone! go away!
Is it reduntant to say I have an avuncular uncle? 
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Some days it just doesn't seem worth trying to chew through the restraints.
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Shrivats
Enthusiast
Reged: Jun 30 2004
Posts: 463
Loc: Dubai, UAE
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Not exactly redundant, more like tautology.  (9 am this morning)
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Life is like Pi, natural, irrational, infinite, and very important.
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