An uncle to many (3)

I believe the answer is:

tom

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'an uncle' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'to many' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'm' (Roman numeral for a thousand).
'to'+'m'='TOM'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for tom that I've seen before include "type pursuing queen" , "Queen's mate" , "Very small person" , "Boy running off with pig" , "Boy - cat" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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