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Webster 1913 Edition


Nicety

Ni′ce-ty

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Niceties
(#)
.
[OE.
niceté
foolishness.]
1.
The quality or state of being nice (in any of the senses of that word.).
The miller smiled of her
nicety
.
Chaucer.
2.
Delicacy or exactness of perception; minuteness of observation or of discrimination; precision.
3.
A delicate expression, act, mode of treatment, distinction, or the like; a minute distinction.
The fineness and
niceties
of words.
Locke.
To a nicety
,
with great exactness or accuracy.

Webster 1828 Edition


Nicety

NICETY

, n.
1.
Niceness; delicacy of perception.
2.
Excess of delicacy; fastidiousness; squeamishness.
So love doth lothe disdainful nicety.
3.
Minute difference; as the niceties of words.
4.
Minuteness of observation or discrimination; precision. The connoisseur judges of the beauties of a painting with great nicety.
5.
Delicate management; exactness in treatment.
Love such nicety requires. One blast will put out all his fires.
6.
Niceties, in the plural, delicacies for food; dainties.

Definition 2024


nicety

nicety

English

Noun

nicety (plural niceties)

  1. A small detail or distinction.
    We met the new captain while we were taking enemy fire and were unable to observe the niceties of formal introductions.
    • John Locke
      the fineness and niceties of words
  2. Subtlety or precision of use.
    A rocket-propelled grenade doesn't have the nicety of a sniper round, but you must admit its effectiveness.

Derived terms

Translations

External links

  • nicety in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
  • nicety in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
  • nicety at OneLook Dictionary Search