aunt

Everyday

1. An aunt is the sister of your mother or father. tree →
2. An aunt is also the wife of your uncle. tree →
3. «Auntie» is a friendly word for an aunt or for an older woman friend of the family. tree →

In the lessons

a person who gives or gets things; ages compared; in families: your aunt's children are your cousins; in stories: a kind or strict aunt looks after a child; phrases: «Aunt Mary», «great-aunt» (your parent's aunt)

Examples

• His aunt gave him $10. tree →
• My aunt is 35 years old. tree →
• She has 2 aunts. tree →
• Aunt Mary baked 24 cookies. tree →
• My aunt is my mum's younger sister. tree →
• We stayed with Auntie Jo for the holidays. tree →
• My aunt's children are my cousins. tree →
• His great-aunt is 90 years old. tree →
• Aunt Em was washing the dishes. tree →

Note

A person; giving from an aunt adds to the child's amount. «Aunt» takes a capital letter before a name: Aunt Mary. Pronounced «ant» (US) or «arnt» (UK); in the US it sounds like the insect «ant».

In Jewish tradition

In Leviticus 18:14 it names a forbidden relative: the wife of one's father's brother. Marriage with her is not allowed.

Interpretation. It belongs to the list of forbidden family marriages in Leviticus 18. The rabbis taught that these laws keep family life holy and pure.

Examples

• Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy fathers brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt. (Torah LEV.18.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

A person; giving from an aunt adds to the child's amount. «Aunt» takes a capital letter before a name: Aunt Mary. Pronounced «ant» (US) or «arnt» (UK); in the US it sounds like the insect «ant».