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niche

 - 5 dictionary results

niche

[nich] noun, adjective, verb, niched, nich⋅ing.
–noun
1. an ornamental recess in a wall or the like, usually semicircular in plan and arched, as for a statue or other decorative object.
2. a place or position suitable or appropriate for a person or thing: to find one's niche in the business world.
3. a distinct segment of a market.
4. Ecology. the position or function of an organism in a community of plants and animals.
–adjective
5. pertaining to or intended for a market niche; having specific appeal: niche advertising.
–verb (used with object)
6. to place (something) in a niche.

Origin:
1605–15; < F, MF, back formation from nicher to make a nest < VL *nīdiculāre, deriv. of L nīdus nest


2. calling, vocation, slot, berth.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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niche   (nĭch, nēsh)   
n.  
  1. A recess in a wall, as for holding a statue or urn.

  2. A cranny, hollow, or crevice, as in rock.

    1. A situation or activity specially suited to a person's interests, abilities, or nature: found her niche in life.

    2. A special area of demand for a product or service: "One niche that is approaching mass-market proportions is held by regional magazines" (Brad Edmondson).

    3. The function or position of an organism or population within an ecological community.

    4. The particular area within a habitat occupied by an organism.

  3. Ecology

    1. The function or position of an organism or population within an ecological community.

    2. The particular area within a habitat occupied by an organism.

tr.v.   niched, nich·ing, nich·es
To place in a niche.

[French, from Old French, from nichier, to nest (from Vulgar Latin *nīdicāre, from Latin nīdus, nest; see sed- in Indo-European roots) or from Old Italian nicchio, seashell (perhaps from Latin mītulus, mussel).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

niche 
1611, "shallow recess in a wall," from Fr. niche, perhaps from It. nicchia "niche, nook," from nicchio "seashell," probably from L. mitulus "mussel," but the change of -m- to -n- is not explained. Another suggestion is that the word is from O.Fr. niche, from L. nidus "nest," but that has difficulties, too. Figurative sense is first recorded 1725. Biological use dates from 1927.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: niche
Pronunciation: 'nich sometimes 'nish or 'nEsh
Function: noun
: CRATER niche formation resulting from an ulcer>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

niche (nĭch, nēsh)
n.

  1. An eroded or ulcerated area detected by contrast radiography.

  2. The function or position of an organism or a population within an ecological community.

  3. The particular area within a habitat occupied by an organism.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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