uncle: [13] Uncle comes via Anglo-Norman uncle and late Latin aunculus from Latin avunculus ‘mother’s brother, maternal uncle’ (source also of English avuncular [19]). This was a diminutive noun derived from the prehistoric base *aw- ‘grandparent’, and it has relatives in Latin avus ‘grandfather’, Welsh ewythr ‘uncle’, Polish wuj ‘uncle’, Armenian hav ‘uncle’, etc. => avuncular
uncle (n.)
late 13c., from Old French oncle, from Latin avunculus "mother's brother" ("father's brother" was patruus), literally "little grandfather," diminutive of avus "grandfather," from PIE root *awo- "grandfather, adult male relative other than one's father" (cognates: Armenian hav "grandfather," Lithuanian avynas "maternal uncle," Old Church Slavonic uji "uncle," Welsh ewythr "uncle").
Replaced Old English eam (usually maternal; paternal uncle was f?dera), which represents the Germanic form of the root (cognates: Dutch oom, Old High German oheim "maternal uncle," German Ohm "uncle").
Also from French are German, Danish, Swedish onkel. As a familiar title of address to an old man, attested by 1793; in the U.S. South, especially "a kindly title for a worthy old negro" [Century Dictionary]. First record of Dutch uncle (and his blunt, stern, benevolent advice) is from 1838; Welsh uncle (1747) was the male first cousin of one's parent. To say uncle as a sign of submission in a fight is North American, attested from 1909, of uncertain signification.
例文
1. Auntie Hilda and Uncle Jack couldn 't fuss over them enough.
ヒルダおばさんとジャックおじさんは彼らをかわいがっている。
2. Uncle Richard intoned a chapter from the Bible and improvised a prayer.
リチャードおじさんは聖書の一章を詠み、即興で祈りの文を書いた。
3.There 's been no trace of my aunt and uncle .
私の叔母、叔母の跡はありません。
4.Auntie and Uncle suggested she serve in the shop.
おばさんとおじさんは彼女に店で働くことを勧めた。
5. Uncle Herbert never argued,never spoke up for himself.