ˈʌŋkl n. 1 a
the brother of one's
father or
mother. b an aunt's
husband. 2 colloq. a
name given by
children to a
male family friend. 3 sl.
esp.
hist. a
pawnbroker. øUncle
Sam colloq. the
federal government or citizens of the US (will
fight for Uncle Sam). Uncle
Tom derog. a
Black man considered to be
servile, cringing, etc. (from the
hero of H. B. Stowe's Uncle Tom's
Cabin, 1852). [ME f. AF uncle, OF oncle f. LL aunculus f. L avunculus
maternal uncle: see AVUNCULAR]