nicety

English

Etymology

From Middle English nicetee, from Old French niceté (“simpleness, foolishness”), from nice (“simple, foolish”); equivalent to nice +‎ -ity.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈnaɪsɪti/

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.
  3. Delicacy of character or feeling usually from excessive refinement; fastidiousness
    • 1815, Jane Austen, Emma, volume II, chapter 18:
      [I]f you knew how Selina feels with respect to sleeping at an inn, you would not wonder at Mrs. Churchill’s making incredible exertions to avoid it. Selina says it is quite horror to her—and I believe I have caught a little of her nicety.

Derived terms

Translations

Further reading

  • 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
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