adj, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   The relationship between a man and his sister's children, generally her sons.
2. 2
   Among certain tribal peoples, for example, the Korowai, a special relationship between a man and a maternal uncle, and the mutual responsibilities between them.

Adjective

1. 1
   Pertaining to a society where the avunculate is of central importance. not-comparable

   "avunculate society"

2. 2
   Pertaining to a marriage to one's aunt, uncle, niece or nephew. not-comparable

   "avunculate marriage"

Etymology

From Latin avunculus (“uncle”).

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.