a. [f. L. avuncul-us maternal uncle, dim. of avus grandfather + -AR.] Of, belonging to, or resembling, an uncle.

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1814.  Morning Post, 19 Aug., 3/2. The avuncular relative of a certain ILLUSTRIOUS HEIRESS.

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1831.  Landor, Rupert, Wks. 1846, II. 571. Love … Paternal or avuncular.

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1854.  Thackeray, Newcomes, I. v. 50. Clive in the avuncular gig is driven over the downs.

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  b.  (humorously) Of a pawnbroker: see UNCLE.

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1859.  Sala, Gaslight & D., iii. 37. If you enter one of these pawnshops … you will observe these peculiarities in the internal economy of the avuncular life.

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