What, if any, is the feminine equivalent of the adjective 'avuncular' meaning 'like an uncle'?

Answer 1

Avunculus - Latin for 'mother's brother'
Matertera - Latin for 'mother's sister'.

Avuncular was derived from the Latin. It changed a bit to cover both mother's and father's brothers. It's not a common word, but it does show up now and then and it fills a need, since you'd have to use three or four words to convey the same idea otherwise.

Matereral also was derived from Latin, but it never made it into mainstream use. I've only seen it in two specialized fields - medical, like Barbara said above, and geneology. When I first saw it I had to go to an unabridged dictionary to find what it meant.

So matereral is the feminine equivalent of avuncular, but its use is very limited and it would not be considered normal English.

Answer 2

Avuncular: 1. Literally, relating to an uncle. 2. Figuratively, suggestive of an uncle, as in geniality. 3 In medical genetics, pertaining to an aunt or uncle. An avuncular relationship is the genetic relationship between aunts and uncles and their nieces and nephews. From the Latin avunculus, meaning maternal uncle. The feminine equivalent of avuncular is materteral (like an aunt).

Answer 3

I don't think there is one.

Avuncular describes a particular, um, avuncular feeling that there's a particular image of uncles of.

I'm not aware of any equivalent for aunts.

Answer 4

...It doesn't mean 'like an uncle'. The meaning of the word is, Friendly, helpful and caring to someone younger. I don't know if there is a female equivalent.

Answer 5

materteral,, but I think that might just be medically speaking..

Answer 6

Cuddly......