nicety
nicety
Definition
ni·cety (nī′sə tē)
noun pl. -·ties
- the quality or state of being nice; specif.,
- scrupulosity
- precision; accuracy; exactness, as of discrimination or perception
- fastidiousness; refinement; delicacy of taste
- the quality of calling for delicacy, accuracy, or precision in handling, discrimination, or adjustment
- anything involving or calling for delicacy, accuracy, or precision; subtle or minute detail, distinction, etc.
- something choice, dainty, or elegant
Etymology: ME nicete < OFr, folly < nice: see nice
to a nicety
to a precise degree; exactly
nicety
Synonyms
nicety
n.
nicety
Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- law: While the niceties of international law on this issue may not be a major concern to most people, another question truly is vital.
- life: Boston is the antidote to the rest of urban America - a place with time to spare on the niceties of life.
- distinction: Jostling together, their very bulk allowed for no niceties of distinction.
- protocol: Mr Johnson, well-versed in the niceties of parliamentary protocol, bowed in recognition of the exceptional honor bestowed upon him.
- debate: Such niceties of debate need not, however, detain us here.
- restaurant: Which covers a air force installations niceties of restaurant.
Converse of object
- ignore: The Lewisham police, however, were among those who appeared to ignore any propaganda niceties.
- understand: The press does not understand the niceties of consultation.
- provide: No rule-of-thumb method will suffice, and only long experience can provide that nicety of judgment which is so necessary.
- appreciate: I am getting more and more into baseball and appreciating the niceties of the game as time goes by.
- exchange: Although they will speak with you, it will probably only be to exchange niceties and wish you well.
- involve: Apparently being itan didn't involve such niceties of courtesy as getting out of a chair when a guest entered the room.
Adjective modifier
- diplomatic: I think I'm just constrained by the rules of diplomatic nicety not to make an announcement on behalf of the Indian government.
- legal: Perhaps we could look at a joint venture ( with all the correct legal niceties agreed between us of course!
- such: Such niceties of debate need not, however, detain us here.
- social: Social niceties mean nothing to him; neither does attending class.
- technical: I have a fair idea of the broad picture, but I don't understand all the technical niceties.
- great: A: I'm sure I'm also capable of great niceties, but I can't think of any right now!
Noun used with modifier
- accounting: Economic theory has traditionally argued that accounting niceties are irrelevant.
nicety Quotes
Those grave fellows are my aversion who sift everything with the utmost nicety, and find the malignity of a lie in a piece of humour, pushed a little beyond exact truth.
Browse dictionary entries near nicety
- niceness
- Nicene Creed
- Nicene Council
- Nicene
- nicely
- nice to
- nice Nelly
- nice and
- nice
- niccolite
- niche
- Nicholas
- Nicholas of Cusa
- Nichrome
- nicht wahr?
- nick
- nickel
- nickel-and-dime
- nickel plate
- nickel silver
