G. fwîr n. “niece” (Category: Niece)
The word G. fwîr “niece” appeared in the Gnomish Lexicon of the 1910s, a combination the feminine patronymic G. fwi- with the Gnomish feminine suffix G. -ir, so properly meaning “sister’s daughter” (GL/36). It is likely related to ᴱQ. súyon “nephew” (QL/87), and arose from something like *su̯īr > swīr > fwîr with the (Gnomish) sound change of sw > fw.
Neo-Sindarin: For purposes of Neo-Sindarin, I would adapt this word as ᴺS. hwiel, with (a) the Sindarin sound change of ancient sw > hw and (b) the later suffix -iel “-daughter”. Since we have no other words for “niece”, I’d use it for female children of any sibling, not just a sister’s daughter.
Reference ✧ GL/36 ✧ “niece”
Elements
fwi- | “fem. patronymic prefix” | ✧ GL/36 |
#-(n)ir | “(feminine) agent” | ✧ GL/36 (#-ir) |