Etymology

From Middle High German niere ‎(“kidney; testicle”) m, from Old High German nioro ‎(“kidney; testicle”) m, from Proto-Germanic *neurô m. The feminine gender is due to the frequent use of the plural, but spread from northern varieties southward; compare Middle Low German nēre f (also Middle Dutch niere f). Cognate with Dutch nier, Danish nyre, Swedish njure, and probably English kidney.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈniːʁə/