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spick-and-span definition

spick·-and-span (spik′'n span′)

adjective

  1. new or fresh
  2. neat and clean

Etymology: short for spick-and-span-new < spick, var. of spike + span-new < ME spon-neowe < ON spān-nȳr < spānn, a chip, shaving + nȳr, new

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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