1610s, "shallow recess in a wall," from French niche "recess (for a dog), kennel" (14c.), perhaps from Italian nicchia "niche, nook," from nicchio "seashell," said by Klein and Barnhart to be probably from Latin mitulus "mussel," but the change of -m- to -n- is not explained. Watkins suggests that the word is from an Old French noun derived from nichier "to nestle, nest, build a nest," via Gallo-Roman *nidicare from Latin nidus "nest;" but that has difficulties, too. Figurative sense is first recorded 1725. Biological use dates from 1927.
例文
1. She has carved a niche for herself as a comic actor.
彼女はコメディアンとしてすでに天地を切り開いている。
2.Simon Lane quickly found his niche as a busy freelance model maker.
サイモン?レインはすぐに自分に合った場所を見つけ、忙しいモデル作りのフリーターになった。
3.I think we have found a niche in the toy market.
玩具市場でビジネスチャンスを見つけたと思います。
4.He eventually found his niche in sports journalism.
最後に彼はスポーツ新聞界で理想的な仕事を見つけた。
5.You can then find your own niche in public life.