niche

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A recess in a wall, as for holding a statue or urn.
2. n. A cranny, hollow, or crevice, as in rock.
3. n. A situation or activity specially suited to a person's interests, abilities, or nature: found her niche in life.
4. n. A special area of demand for a product or service: "One niche that is approaching mass-market proportions is held by regional magazines” ( Brad Edmondson).
5. n. Ecology The function or position of an organism or population within an ecological community.
6. n. Ecology The particular area within a habitat occupied by an organism.
7. v. To place in a niche.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A nook or recess; specifically, a recess in a wall for the reception of a statue, a vase, or other ornament. In ancient Roman architecture niches were generally semicircular in plan, and terminated in a semi-dome at the top. They were sometimes, however, square-headed, and in classical architecture sometimes also square in plan. They were ornamented with pillars, architraves, and consoles, and in other ways. In the architecture of the middle ages niches were extensively used in decoration and for the reception of statues. In the Romanesque style they were so shallow as to be little more than panels, and the figures were frequently carved on the back in high relief. In the Pointed style they became more deeply recessed, and were highly enriched with elaborate canopies, and often much accessory ornament. In plan they are most frequently a semi-octagon or a semi-hexagon, and their heads are formed of groined vanlting, with bosses and pendants according to the prevalent architecture of the time. They are often projected on corbels, and adorned with pillars, but-tresses, and various moldings. Compare cut under gallery.
2. n. Hence Figuratively, a position or condition in which a person or thing is placed; one's assigned or appropriate place.
3. To furnish with a niche or with niches.
4. To place in a niche, literally or figuratively.

Wiktionary

1. n. architecture A cavity, hollow, or recess, generally within the thickness of a wall, for a statue, bust, or other erect ornament. Hence, any similar position, literal or figurative.
2. n. biology A function within an ecological system to which an organism is especially suited.
3. n. by extension Any position of opportunity for which one is well-suited, such as a particular market in business.
4. n. An arrow woven into a Muslim prayer rug pointing in the direction of Mecca.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A cavity, hollow, or recess, generally within the thickness of a wall, for a statue, bust, or other erect ornament. Hence, any similar position, literal or figurative.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. (ecology) the status of an organism within its environment and community (affecting its survival as a species)
2. n. a position particularly well suited to the person who occupies it
3. n. a small concavity
4. n. an enclosure that is set back or indented