n. [ OE. nece, F. nièce, 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. Wyclif. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
2.Especially: A daughter of one's brother or sister, or of one's brother-in-law or sister-in-law. In modern English, this is the primary meaning. [ 1913 Webster ]