Antonyms for nephews

Grammar : Noun

Spell : nef-yoo or, esp. British, nev-yoo

Phonetic Transcription : ˈnɛf yu or, esp. British, ˈnɛv yu

Definition of nephews

Origin : c.1300, from Old French neveu (Old North French nevu) "grandson, descendant," from Latin nepotem (nominative nepos) "sister's son, grandson, descendant," in post-Augustan Latin, "nephew," from PIE *nepot- "grandchild," and in a general sense, "male descendant other than son" (cf. Sanskrit napat "grandson, descendant;" Old Persian napat- "grandson;" Old Lithuanian nepuotis "grandson;" Dutch neef; German Neffe "nephew;" Old Irish nia, genitive niath "son of a sister," Welsh nei). Used in English in all the classical senses until meaning narrowed in 17c., and also as a euphemism for "the illegitimate son of an ecclesiastic" (1580s). The Old English cognate, nefa "nephew, stepson, grandson, second cousin" survived to 16c.

As in man : noun male human
As in relative : noun member of a family
As in kinsman : noun relative
As in kinswoman : noun relative

Example sentences :

Observing this, Medea looked round at the nephews, and smiled again.
Extract from : « Tanglewood Tales » by Nathaniel Hawthorne

"There's plenty of room for nephews and nieces," Mr. Withells said jocularly.
Extract from : « Jan and Her Job » by L. Allen Harker

Of twenty-five nephews who accompanied him, fifteen were slain by his side.
Extract from : « Henry IV, Makers of History » by John S. C. Abbott

The good woman was my Welsh cousin, and her children were my Welsh nephews.
Extract from : « The Memoires of Casanova, Complete » by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt

God, Don, it gets me when I imagine my own nephews and nieces in their places!
Extract from : « 'Smiles' » by Eliot H. Robinson

When the Popes have nephews, people say all manner of ill-natured things.
Extract from : « Miss Mackenzie » by Anthony Trollope

Was it possible that she should allow her own nephews and nieces to starve while she was rich?
Extract from : « Miss Mackenzie » by Anthony Trollope

Uncles are notoriously careless of the comfort of their nephews.
Extract from : « Love Among the Chickens » by P. G. Wodehouse

Aunts are kissed by their nephews every day as a matter of course.
Extract from : « Lady Bountiful » by George A. Birmingham

But you ought not to dispose of my nephews without my permission.
Extract from : « Hortense, Makers of History Series » by John S. C. Abbott

Synonyms for nephews

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019