I looked in the dictionary for further definition about grand(parent, aunt, uncle, etc.). Perhaps this will help: Webster's New World Dictionary defines: grand - Old French replacing Old English ealde - (i.e., higher in rank, status or dignity than others) a combining form meaning of the older (and younger) than you (grandfather, grandson). grandaunt - same as great grandnephew - (chiefly Brit.) the grandson of one's brother or sister grandniece - the granddaughter of one's brother or sister granduncle - same as great The American Heritage Dictionary defines: grandaunt - a sister of one's grandparents grandnephew - a son of one's niece or nephew grandniece - a daughter " " " " It all boils down to semantics. Language is a living thing and always evolving...it seems greataunt, greatuncle, etc., are the commonly used term for the "proper" grandaunt, etc. The more archaic usage. I think most people, unless genealogically inclined, use the term great aunt and uncle and would look at us strangely if they heard us refer to anybody in the family as granduncle, aunt, neice or nephew! Might bring on a few snickers and whispers suggesting that Great Aunt Lucy has gone squirrelly. Hope this is helpful. Charmaine