nephew

[ nef-yoo or, esp. British, nev-yoo ]
/ ˈnɛf yu or, esp. British, ˈnɛv yu /

noun

a son of one's brother or sister.
a son of one's spouse's brother or sister.
an illegitimate son of a clergyman who has vowed celibacy (used as a euphemism).
Obsolete. a direct descendant, especially a grandson.
Obsolete. a remote male descendant, as a grandnephew or cousin.

Origin of nephew

1250–1300; Middle English neveu < Old French < Latin nepōtem, accusative of nepōs nephew, grandson; akin to Old English nefa, Dutch neef, German Neffe, Old Norse nefi; the pseudo-etymological spelling with ph has influenced pronunciation

Example sentences from the Web for nephew

British Dictionary definitions for nephew

nephew
/ (ˈnɛvjuː, ˈnɛf-) /

noun

a son of one's sister or brother

Word Origin for nephew

C13: from Old French neveu, from Latin nepōs; related to Old English nefa, Old High German nevo relative