maternal uncle

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Noun

maternal uncle (plural maternal uncles)

1. The brother or brother-in-law of one’s mother.

   • The social organization of the Trobriand Islanders of Melane-
     sia is characterized by matrilineal descent, free and familiar rela-
     tions between father and son, and a marked antagonism between
     maternal uncle and nephew.³¹ On the other hand, the patrilineal
     Cherkess of the Caucasus place the hostility between father and
     son, while the maternal uncle assists his nephew and gives him a
     horse when he marries.³²

Related terms

• maternal aunt
• paternal uncle

Translations

• French: oncle maternel
• German: Onkel
• Italian: zio, zio materno
• Portuguese: tio, tio materno
• Russian: дя́дя
• Spanish: tío, tío materno

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