nephew

From Middle English nevew, neveu (“nephew, grandson”), from Old French neveu (“nephew, grandson”), from Latin nepōtem, accusative of nepōs (“nephew, grandson”), from Proto-Indo-European *nepot- (“grandchild, sister's son”). Cognate with Middle English neve (“nephew”), from Old English nefa (“nephew, grandson”). More at neve.

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: nĕ'fyo͞o, IPA^(key): /ˈnɛf.ju/, (etymological, less common) /ˈnɛv.ju/
• (General American) enPR: nĕ'fyo͞o, IPA^(key): /ˈnɛf.ju/

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nephew (plural nephews)

1. A son of one's sibling, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law; either a son of one's brother (fraternal nephew) or a son of one's sister (sororal nephew).
2. (archaic) A son of one's child, grandson.
   • 1567, Arthur Golding (translator), The XV Bookes of P. Ouidius Naso, entytuled Metamorphosis, Book 1,

     Hir father many a time and oft would say my daughter deere,

     Of Nephewes thou my debtour art, their Graundsires heart to chéere.

• neve

• (with regards to gender) niece
• (with regards to ancestry) uncle, aunt

• nibling

• great-nephew
• half nephew

nephew

1. Alternative form of nevew