adj. (common).—Humorously employed in various combinations: e.g., AVUNCULAR RELATION = a pawnbroker; an UNCLE (q.v.); AVUNCULAR LIFE = pawnbroking. Also AVUNCULAR-GIG, TO AVUNCULIZE (= to act as an uncle), etc., etc.
1662. FULLER, Worthies, ‘Hants,’ i. 414. Seeing he was sister’s son to blackmouth’d Sanders, it is much that he doth not more AVUNCULIZE in his bitterness against Protestants.
1831. LANDOR, Rupert (Works (1846), II. 571]. Love … paternal or AVUNCULAR.
1854. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, v. Clive, in the AVUNCULAR GIG, is driven over the downs to Brighton, to his maternal aunt there. Ibid., xl. Clive had passed the AVUNCULAR BANKING-HOUSE in the city, without caring to face his relations there.
1859. G. A. SALA, Gaslight and Daylight, iii. 37. If you enter one of these pawnshops … you will observe these peculiarities in the internal economy of the AVUNCULAR LIFE.
1897. MARSHALL, Pomes, 92. ‘A Model Christmas.’ (The poet detaches a blanket from his bed and despatches it to an AVUNCULAR RELATIVE).
