May 20, 2004

A.Word.A.Day--materteral

My sister is one of the best aunts I've ever known, and I've known some good ones.

Here's today's A.Word.A.Day:

materteral (muh-TUHR-tuhr-uhl) adjective, also materterine

Characteristic of, or in the manner of, an aunt.

[From classical Latin matertera (maternal aunt), from mater (mother).]

This word is the feminine counterpart of the word avuncular (like an uncle).

Posted by jackhodgson at May 20, 2004 10:34 AM