̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷_lə̇t, -ˌlāt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin avuncul us + English -ate
1. : a special relationship obtaining among some tribal peoples between a nephew and his maternal uncle
2. : authority of a man over his sister's family affairs but especially over her children and the reciprocal rights and responsibilities associated therewith — compare amitate