nuncle
variant of uncle with transferred n (see N 3 b). Now dial. (Cf. nunky and nunc, nunk, nunks.)
| c 1589 Theses Martinianæ 2 To my nunckle Canturburie. 1599 Porter Angry Wom. Abingd. (Percy Soc.) 132, I should be glad To haue myselfe called nunckle, and thou dad. 1605 Shakes. Lear i. iv. 170 Nuncle, giue me an egge. 1663 Dryden Wild Gallant iii. i, Alas, alas, poor nuncle! 1710 Brit. Apollo No. 89. 3/2 Why Nuncle Hermes, this is very odd. 1760 Foote Minor ii. Wks. 1799 I. 252 Oh, a proof of my respect, dear nuncle. 1838– in Eng. Dial. Dict. |
Hence † ˈnuncle v. Obs. rare—1.
| a 1676 Roxb. Ball. (1895) VIII. 203 She still'd her mother's tongue,..Nuncl'd her Mam. |