[f. prec.]
1. trans. To address (one) as uncle.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., II. iii. 85. Grace me no Grace, nor Vncle me, I am no Traytors Vnckle.
1872. B. Taylor, in Life & Lett. (1884), II. 592. I am ‘uncled’ from morning till night.
1884. J. T. Trowbridge, Farnell’s Folly, I. xix. 196. ‘Uncle! uncle!’ chattered old Carolus, brandishing the staff under his cloak, ‘don’t uncle me!’
† 2. To cheat or swindle (of something). Obs.
Perhaps originally implying a pretense of being uncle to the person victimized; but the association with COZEN v. and sb., which appears in the quots., makes it also possible that uncle is merely a punning variation of cousin.
a. 1592. Greene, Selimus (1594), H ij. This is some cousoning conicatching crosbiter, that would faine perswade me he knowes me, and so vnder a tence of familiaritie and acquaintance, vncle me of victuals.
1606. Sir G. Goosecappe, V. i. And Neece tho you have cosind me in this, Ile uncle you yet in an other thing.
1608. Dekker, Belman of London, Wks. (Grosart), III. 127. If the Cozen be such an Asse to goe into a tauerne, then he is sure to be vnckled.
† b. To deprive (an uncle) of life. Obs.–1
1602. Chettle, Hoffman, I. (1631), C 3. Vncle, ile vncle thee of thy proud life.
