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Can "little" Mean "grand/great" In 19Th-Century Family Relationship Usage?

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smallsizenun | 03:38 Mon 25th Apr 2016 | Phrases & Sayings
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A will I am reading (1846, American) mentions bequests to a "niece" and a "little niece." I initially took this to mean older niece and younger niece, but matching these terms to the individuals named was a puzzle. However, if "little niece" actually meant "grand-niece" then everything fell into place. Was this term in use in the mid-19th Century? An hour of frustrated googling has not given me an answer, please help!
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I think you're right. Such terminology was quite common at that time.
yes little often meant a relation once removed.
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Thank you both, waterboatman and lady-janine!

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