Dictionary

nuncle en · NOUN

Etymology

From rebracketing of phrases an uncle, mine uncle, thine uncle, etc. Compare neam and naunt, as well as French mononcle. For the verb, OED suggests an evolution in sense "to claim to be one's uncle" > "to cheat". It compares this derivation with cozen, which it derives from cousin. For the technical anthropological sense, compare nibling.

Meanings

1. (archaic, dialectal) Uncle.
   • Fool: Prithee, nuncle, tell me whether a madman be a gentleman or a yeoman? 1605, Shakespeare, King Lear:
2. (in the study of kinship terminology) Aunt or uncle; sibling of a parent (regardless of gender).

Forms

Deriveds

nunky

nuncle en · VERB

Etymology

From rebracketing of phrases an uncle, mine uncle, thine uncle, etc. Compare neam and naunt, as well as French mononcle. For the verb, OED suggests an evolution in sense "to claim to be one's uncle" > "to cheat". It compares this derivation with cozen, which it derives from cousin. For the technical anthropological sense, compare nibling.

Meanings

1. (England, regional) To cheat, deceive.

Forms