nephew

A nephew is a male relative who is the son of one's brother or sister. The term is commonly used to identify the younger generation of a family in relation to the speaker. The female equivalent is niece. In some contexts, the word may also be used for the son of one's spouse's sibling, though this usage varies by culture and is less formal.

Etymology: The word comes from Old French neveu, from Latin nepos, meaning "grandson" or "descendant." In English, the meaning narrowed to a male child of a sibling.

In kinship terms, the nephew can be described as the brother's son or sister's son, irrespective of the parent's gender. The relationship applies on either the paternal or maternal side of the family.

Cultural and social context: In many cultures, nephews are part of extended family networks and may participate in family gatherings, rites, and obligations of support. Attitudes toward nephews can vary widely, including expectations regarding caring for aging relatives or inheritance, though legal rules differ by jurisdiction.

Usage: The term is used in everyday language to refer to the son of a sibling. It can also appear in literature and media to denote a younger male relative or, occasionally, a younger male protégé or follower in a figurative sense.

See also: niece; family relationships.