Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
Aunt — Aunt, n. [OF. ante, F. tante, L. amita father s sister. Cf. {Amma}.] 1. The sister of one s father or mother; correlative to nephew or niece. Also applied to an uncle s wife. [1913 Webster] Note: Aunt is sometimes applied as a title or term of… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
aunt — (n.) c.1300, from Anglo Fr. aunte, from O.Fr. ante (Mod.Fr. tante, from a 13c. variant), from L. amita paternal aunt dim. of *amma a baby talk word for mother (Cf. Gk. amma mother, O.N. amma grandmother, M.Ir. ammait old hag, Heb. em … Etymology dictionary
aunt — aunt; aunt·sary; ble·aunt; aunt·ie; … English syllables
aunt — [a:nt US ænt] n [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: ante, from Latin amita] the sister of your father or mother, or the wife of your father s or mother s brother ▪ Aunt Mary →↑agony aunt … Dictionary of contemporary English
aunt — [ ænt ] noun count *** the sister of your mother or father, or the wife of your UNCLE: I loved visiting my aunt and uncle. Hello, Aunt Betty … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
aunt|y — «AN tee, AHN », noun, plural aunt|ies. Informal. a diminutive of aunt … Useful english dictionary
aunt — [ant, änt] n. [ME & OFr aunte < L amita, paternal aunt, dim. of * amma, mother (< baby talk)] 1. a sister of one s mother or father 2. the wife of one s uncle … English World dictionary
aunt|ly — «ANT lee, AHNT », adjective. of or characteristic of an aunt: »“It is no good your trying to excuse your infamous conduct…!” This is the true, auntly note (Kenneth Tynan) … Useful english dictionary
aunt — ► NOUN ▪ the sister of one s father or mother or the wife of one s uncle. ORIGIN Old French ante, from Latin amita … English terms dictionary
Aunt Ed|na — «EHD nuh», British. a conventional person of pedestrian tastes, especially as personifying a typical member of the audience at a play, or the average viewer of a television program … Useful english dictionary
aunt|ie — «AN tee, AHN », noun. = aunty. (Cf. ↑aunty) … Useful english dictionary
