niceties

Variant of nicety

nicety definition

ni·cety (nī′sə tē)

noun pl. niceties -·ties

  1. the quality or state of being nice; specif.,
    1. scrupulosity
    2. precision; accuracy; exactness, as of discrimination or perception
    3. fastidiousness; refinement; delicacy of taste
  2. the quality of calling for delicacy, accuracy, or precision in handling, discrimination, or adjustment
  3. anything involving or calling for delicacy, accuracy, or precision; subtle or minute detail, distinction, etc.
  4. something choice, dainty, or elegant

Etymology: ME nicete < OFr, folly < nice: see nice

nicety Idioms

to a nicety

to a precise degree; exactly

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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