niecely en · ADJ
Etymology
From niece + -ly.
Meanings
-
Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a niece.
If a person helps his or her brother, sister, or niece to become an ancestor, for example, by sharing resources, offering protection, or helping in times of need, then he or she contributes to the reproductive success of genes “for” brotherly, sisterly, or niecely assistance (assuming that such helping is partly heritable).
2010, Oliver P. John; Richard W. Robins; Lawrence A Pervin, Ph.D, Handbook of Personality:He's not forbidden to go for walks alone for fear of his meeting me; he's not forced to listen to a course of daily lectures on the advisability of "niecely" obedience, and the injurious consequences of reading what Aunt Amelia calls melodramatic rubbish.
1904, Evelyn Simms, Love and a way:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| more niecely | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic | |
| most niecely | Degree=Sup | lexicographic |