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word choice - What are the limits of the prefix 'step' to describe relationships?


Is my mother's step-father, my step-grandfather? To what extent is it usual to extend the prefix 'step'?


Can we speak of 'step-cousins', step-aunts and step-uncles etc? If we can it must make for considerable complication in how such relationships are defined.



Answer



Of the combining form step-, Oxford Dictionaries only says:



denoting a relationship resulting from a remarriage



Past immediate step-parents or step-siblings, I no longer find the distinction useful.


Introduce your mom's stepfather as "My mom's stepfather."


Likewise with your stepmom's sister, your aunt's stepdaughter, and so forth.


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