University of Virginia Library

[A father's brother, mother's brother, are not called the same]

A father's brother, mother's brother, are not called the same
In Latin, though an uncle is the only English name;
For patruus the first is called, from pater, I suppose;
The second is avunculus, as every scholar knows.
One kind of aunt is patrua, avuncula the other;
Privignus is a son-in-law, noverca's a stepmother.
A grandmother is avia, and nepos a grandson;
And avus is a grandfather;—your task is not yet done.
Proăvus means a great-grandfather;
Abăvus, I have been told,
Means a man's grandfather's grandfather,
Who must be wond'rously old.
Atăvus—he is no lad,
He's a great grandfather's grandfather,
Trităvus means the grand-dad
Of a man's grandfather's grandfather.