An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Nichte

by Friedrich Kluge

Nichte, f., ‘niece,’ ModHG. only (unknown to UpG. dialects in which Base is used), from LG. nicht, in MidHG. niftel, OHG. niftila, f. (dimin. of OHG. nift); comp. AS. nift, OIc. nipt. These are fem. forms of Neffe, pointing to Goth. *nifti, pre-Teut. neptî, f., from nepôt, m. The meaning of Nichte fluctuates as in the case of Neffe; MidHG. niftel, ‘niece, mother's sister, first cousin,’ OIc. nipt, ‘sister’s daughter, niece,’ OHG. nift, ‘neptis privigna.’ Comp. also Lat. neptis, ‘granddaughter,’ with nepos; Sans. naptî, f., ‘daughter, granddaughter,’ with nâpât.