Niching

[nich] /nɪtʃ/

noun
1.
an ornamental recess in a wall or the like, usually semicircular in plan and arched, as for a statue or other decorative object.
2.
a place or position suitable or appropriate for a person or thing:
to find one’s niche in the business world.
3.
a distinct segment of a market.
4.
Ecology. the position or function of an organism in a community of plants and animals.
adjective
5.
pertaining to or intended for a market niche; having specific appeal:
niche advertising.
verb (used with object), niched, niching.
6.
to place (something) in a niche.
/nɪtʃ; niːʃ/
noun
1.
a recess in a wall, esp one that contains a statue
2.
any similar recess, such as one in a rock face
3.
a position particularly suitable for the person occupying it: he found his niche in politics
4.
(modifier) relating to or aimed at a small specialized group or market
5.
(ecology) the role of a plant or animal within its community and habitat, which determines its activities, relationships with other organisms, etc
verb
6.
(transitive) to place (a statue) in a niche; ensconce (oneself)
n.

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-Romance *nidicare from Latin nidus “nest;” but that has difficulties, too. Figurative sense is first recorded 1725. Biological use dates from 1927.

niche (nĭch, nēsh)
n.

niche
(nĭch, nēsh)
The function or position of a species within an ecological community. A species’s niche includes the physical environment to which it has become adapted as well as its role as producer and consumer of food resources. See also competitive exclusion principle.