Main Entry:

un·cle

Pronunciation:

\ˈəŋ-kəl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin avunculus mother's brother; akin to Old English ēam uncle, Welsh ewythr, Latin avus grandfather

Date:

14th century

1 a: the brother of one's father or mother b: the husband of one's aunt2: one who helps, advises, or encourages3—used as a cry of surrender <was forced to cry uncle>4capitalized : uncle sam