From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Niche \Niche\ (n[i^]ch), n. [F., fr. It. nicchia, prop., a
shell-like recess in a wall, fr. nicchio a shellfish, mussel,
fr. L. mytilus.]
A cavity, hollow, or recess, generally within the thickness
of a wall, for a statue, bust, or other erect ornament.
Hence, any similar position, literal or figurative.
[1913 Webster]
Images defended from the injuries of the weather by
niches of stone wherein they are placed. --Evelun.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
niche
n 1: a position particularly well suited to the person who
occupies it; "he found his niche in the academic world"
2: a small concavity [syn: {recess}, {recession}, {niche},
{corner}]
3: an enclosure that is set back or indented [syn: {recess},
{niche}]
4: (ecology) the status of an organism within its environment
and community (affecting its survival as a species) [syn:
{niche}, {ecological niche}]
From French-English FreeDict Dictionary ver. 0.3.4 [fd-fra-eng]:
niche /niʃ/
niche
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