nephew Meaning, Definition & Usage

Neph"ew noun

Etymology

OE. neveu, nevou, nevu, fr. F. neveu, OF. also, nevou, L. nepos; akin to AS. nefa, D. neef, G. neffe, OHG. nevo, Icel. nefi a kinsman, gr. , pl., brood, young, Skr. nepat grandson, descendant. Cf. Niece, Nepotism.

Definitions

1. A grandson or grandchild, or remoter lineal descendant. Obs.

   But if any widow have children or nephews [Rev. Ver. grandchildren,]. 1 Tim. v. 4.

   If naturalists say true that nephews are often liker to their grandfathers than to their fathers. Jer. Taylor.

2. A cousin. Obs. Shak.
3. The son of a brother or a sister, or of a brother-in-law or sister-in-law. Chaucer.