Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
nièce — [ njɛs ] n. f. • XIIe; lat. pop. °neptia; class. neptis, même évolution de sens que neveu ♦ Fille du frère ou de la sœur, du beau frère ou de la belle sœur (opposé à oncle, tante). Avoir plusieurs nièces, deux ou trois neveux et nièces. ● nièce… … Encyclopédie Universelle
niece — (n.) c.1300, from O.Fr. niece niece, granddaughter (12c., Mod.Fr. nièce), earlier niepce, from L. neptia (also source of Port. neta, Sp. nieta), from neptis granddaughter, in Late Latin niece, fem. of nepos grandson, nephew (see NEPHEW (Cf … Etymology dictionary
niece — Niece. sub. f. Fille du frere ou de la soeur. La niece d un tel. l oncle & la niece. la tante & la niece. petite niece. elle est sa niece à la mode de Bretagne … Dictionnaire de l'Académie française
Niece — (n[=e]s), n. [OE. nece, F. ni[ e]ce, LL. neptia, for L. neptis a granddaughter, niece, akin to nepos. See {Nephew}.] 1. A relative, in general; especially, a descendant, whether male or female; a granddaughter or a grandson. [Obs.] B. Jonson.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
niece — [nēs] n. [ME nece < OFr niece < LL neptia < L neptis, granddaughter, niece, akin to nepos, NEPHEW] 1. the daughter of one s brother or sister 2. the daughter of one s brother in law or sister in law 3. an illegitimate daughter, as of a… … English World dictionary
niece — [ni:s] n [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: Late Latin neptia granddaughter, niece ] the daughter of your brother or sister, or the daughter of your wife s or husband s brother or sister →↑nephew, aunt ↑aunt, uncle ↑uncle … Dictionary of contemporary English
Nièce — (fr., spr. Niehß), so v.w. Nichte … Pierer's Universal-Lexikon
Nièce — (franz., spr. njǟß ), Nichte … Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon
niece — [ nis ] noun count * a daughter of your brother or sister, or a daughter of your husband s or wife s brother or sister. Their son is called your nephew … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
niece — is one of the most commonly misspelt words in English … Modern English usage
niece — ► NOUN ▪ a daughter of one s brother or sister, or of one s brother in law or sister in law. ORIGIN Old French, from Latin neptis granddaughter … English terms dictionary
