Uncle

Uncle (from Latin: avunculus "little grandfather", the diminutive of avus "grandfather",) is a family relationship or kinship, and a parent's male sibling or the male spouse of a parent's sibling. A woman with an equivalent relationship is an aunt, and the reciprocal relationship is that of a nephew or niece. In some cultures and families, children may refer to the cousins of their parents as "aunt" or "uncle". It is also a title of respect for elders (for example older cousins, neighbors, acquaintances, as well as total strangers), especially in Albania, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Maori culture, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Turkey, Hawaii, and most other Pacific Islands. See fictive kinship.

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