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 aunt
2 : one who helps, advises, or encourages
3 —used as a cry of surrender <was forced to cry uncle>
4 capitalized : uncle sam