| 释义 |
niche
I. \ˈnich sometimes ˈnish or ˈnēsh\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from nicher to nest, from Old French nichier, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin nidicare, from Latin nidus nest — more at nest
1. : a recess in a wall:
a. : a hollowed space in a wall made especially for a statue, bust, or other ornament
b. : a vaulted passage or alcove made usually within the thickness of a wall
c. : a space provided at the side of a roadway (as of a tunnel, bridge, highway) for emergency use
2. : a covert or retreat resembling a niche in its formation or privacy
3. : a place, condition of life or employment, or position suitable for the capabilities or merits of a person or qualities of a thing
< his poetry fills a niche of its own >
4. : crater 1d
5.
a. : the sum of the physical and biotic life-controlling factors (as climate, food sources, water supply, enemies); also : a site or habitat supplying these factors characteristically necessary for the successful existence of an organism or species in a given habitat
b. : the role of an organism in an ecological community involving especially its way of life and its effect on the environment (as through its relations to other biotic factors and to abiotic factors)
c. : microhabitat — not used technically
 [niche 1a]
II. verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: partly from niche (I) and partly from French nicher to nest
transitive verb
1. : to place in or as if in a niche: as
a. : to put into a position to attract attention or veneration
< safely niched as classics >
b. : to settle snugly or cozily
c. : secrete
2. : to construct as or furnish with a niche
intransitive verb
: to settle or grow in a niche : nestle
III. noun
Usage: often attributive
: a specialized market |